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mickey

[origin uncertain]

Slang

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

See 1950 quote.

This term is often assumed to derive from Mickey Mouse, the reference being to a bottle of small size. However, Disney's character did not appear till 1928, and the term is shown below to have been in use before then.

Quotations

1927

"We takes a chase round a block and gets a mickey of de demon, which put us on our way rejoicing. . . ."

1950

An American pint holds 16 ounces, a Canadian "mickey," 12 ounces of rye, or 13 ounces of Scotch.

1962

But even then very few of the electorate went reeling to the polls with $3--the price of their votes--in one hip pocket and a mickey of rye in the other.

1966

Bradley said the four . . . had gone through two mickeys of whiskey.