British/English Escapists, please explain :"Taking the Piss"

[happyninja42]

Ok, so first thing, I know how the phrase is used in common speech. It's sort of the American equivalent of "Are you fucking kidding me" Or some similar phrase to question if someone is lying to you, or trying to pull a joke/con on you with what they just said. It indicates you don't believe them, and are questioning their sincerity in what they just said to you. I get that.

My question is how that particular phrase came to be. How did "taking the piss" become the phrase to mean that? I heard a character in a show, who was supposed to be Australian say "I bet he can't handle a gut full of piss." Which in the context, I thought meant "I bet he can't handle a stomach full of alcohol." So now I think the phrases origin was maybe something like "Are you taking/stealing the beer?" As in somebody at a party, who decides to knick the booze and run off.

Is that even close? If not, what is the origin of it? 'Cause every time I hear it in a movie/show it puzzles me. xD

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I'm pretty sure it comes from 'taking the mickey', except we just love swearing.

And no, I don't where 'taking the mickey' comes from either.

EDIT: Wikipedia has proven me to be entirely wrong. Ignore me.

 

[Mezahmay]

Though I am not English/British, the Wikipedia page on taking the piss [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_the_piss#Origin] sure seems to have some interesting possible origins.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

In Australia at least, we often call piss "beer". 'Ya know, "Yeah, I'm gonna hit the piss tonight mate!!!!". As to where that came from.. I guess because being drunk you piss a lot?

As to where that particular saying comes from, I always envision it as taking a piss on someone's face. "Yeah, you're argument is fucking shit m8, so take this *unzips pants, presents, and covers in hot liquid*". I dunno for sure though.

 

[Thaluikhain]

I'd always interpreted "taking the piss" as joking at someone's expense.

In Australia, "piss" is used to mean "alcohol". "Pissed" means "drunk".

 

[Colour Scientist]

I'd always interpreted "taking the piss" as joking at someone's expense.

In Australia, "piss" is used to mean "alcohol". "Pissed" means "drunk".

'Piss' is an amazing word, so many uses!

 

[Zhukov]

It's short for "taking the piss out of".

"Piss" in this case meaning energy or vigor, as in "piss and vinegar" (which might also be a Commonwealth-ism).

I always interpreted that as meaning something similar to "taking the wind out of their sails". Belittling or deflating the subject through ridicule or mockery.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

]It's short for "taking the piss out of".

"Piss" in this case meaning energy or vigor,

Fellow Tasmanian. How does this make sense? Don't we all naturally take piss out of ourselves anyway? How is that draining energy? Technically, it drains waste and unwanted material!!!

Edit: Pissing on the face of someone with a different opinion/belief makes much more sense.

 

[happyninja42]

Ok, so the general impression I get is there isn't any specific origin, or at least not one that is commonly known by those how frequently use the phrase. xD

K, that's cool, was mostly just curious since it was such a colorful phrase. Thanks.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

The same could be said about "Are you shitting me?" Basically the same as "are you taking the piss?" With equally as dubious an origin.

 

[Weresquirrel]

I heard a character in a show, who was supposed to be Australian say "I bet he can't handle a gut full of piss."

This fellow wouldn't happen to be a Space Australian would he?

Anyway, a little reading suggests that it was derived from a saying: "Piss-proud" which admittedly is not one I'm familiar with, but it seems to follow. If you take the "piss pride" out of some via mockery. It's not just used for the "Are you kidding me" meaning, the way I hear it most used is in the context of mocking someone or something.

CAPCHA - "I'm yours". Oh Capcha, why would you wait until the week after Valentines day to declare your love for me? Are you taking the piss?

 

[CrystalShadow]

In Australia at least, we often call piss "beer". 'Ya know, "Yeah, I'm gonna hit the piss tonight mate!!!!". As to where that came from.. I guess because being drunk you piss a lot?

I thought it's because beer tastes like piss... XD
(if it needs saying, I find beer disgusting)

 

[The White Hunter]

I'm pretty sure it comes from 'taking the mickey', except we just love swearing.

And no, I don't where 'taking the mickey' comes from either.

EDIT: Wikipedia has proven me to be entirely wrong. Ignore me.

Cockney rhyming slang mickey is short for mickey bliss and it means tasking the piss.

OT: Couldn't tell you where it comes from tbh, nor where, maybe something to do with taking chamberpots or something.

 

[the_dramatica]

You guys have so much fun with your language. Here in murica we use the word shit instead of piss for our various needs, and it doesn't have any romanticized versions. Hitting the piss sounds fun.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

Hitting the piss sounds fun.

I have never heard that phrase before. Are you confusing "Going out on the piss" with "hitting the town?"

 

[Wolf In A Bear Suit]

Taking the piss/ mick/ mickey is used in Ireland too. Basically means, you're chancing your luck, being a knob, pulling everyones collective leg.

 

[dontlooknow]

Brit here. I'd compare it to "mocking". I don't think it's like "are you shitting me" because to me, that usually means "are you kidding me?" Also, taking the piss isn't necessarily a derogatory act, instead it can be used to degrade someone else - a satirist could take the piss out of a politician, and it would be the politician who would be laughed at:

"Are you taking the piss out of me?" = "Are you mocking me?"
"I'm taking the piss out of you." = "I'm mocking you."

On the other hand, it can also mean "take advantage of", and this would be used with negative connotations towards the person who's taking the piss:

"She just had her twelfth refile of ice cream, she's taking the piss."

The more I think about it, the more weird it seems.

 

[Mikeybb]

On the piss is used locally for a night drinking.

As to taking the piss, it's often said that you are taking the piss out of someone, so unless it's meant to imply a more invasive version of pulling someones leg, then I'm not sure.

It's short for "taking the piss out of".

"Piss" in this case meaning energy or vigor, as in "piss and vinegar" (which might also be a Commonwealth-ism).

I always interpreted that as meaning something similar to "taking the wind out of their sails". Belittling or deflating the subject through ridicule or mockery.

This sounds like a very strong contender for best explanation so far.

 

[happyninja42]

I heard a character in a show, who was supposed to be Australian say "I bet he can't handle a gut full of piss."

This fellow wouldn't happen to be a Space Australian would he?

Space Brisbon to be precise. xD Go Space Broncos!! *waves little flag*

Anyway, a little reading suggests that it was derived from a saying: "Piss-proud" which admittedly is not one I'm familiar with, but it seems to follow. If you take the "piss pride" out of some via mockery. It's not just used for the "Are you kidding me" meaning, the way I hear it most used is in the context of mocking someone or something.

CAPCHA - "I'm yours". Oh Capcha, why would you wait until the week after Valentines day to declare your love for me? Are you taking the piss?

Interesting, I could see that. I just find little things like that very interesting, and when I hear them pop up I wonder about them. Between hearing it recently in Kingsman, and in the tv show The Misfits, it definitely seemed to be a very common term.