Mick

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A highly offensive ethnic slur directed at Irish people ; a familiar short form of the male first name Michael
2. A derogatory term used against people of Irish descent ; an informal diminutive of the masculine given name Michael
3. An insulting label for someone of Irish origin ; a casual nickname shortening the first name Michael

Etymology: "Mick" is a slang noun and verb, and its story runs through a very common Irish given name. It comes from Michael, which was a widespread name among the Irish, and the nickname form "Mick" was used as a generic name for an Irish man, often in a mildly derogatory way. The name's shortening to a familiar, affectionate form is the same process that turned Michael into "Mike" and "Mickey." A second, separate source feeds the verb and some noun senses: "Mick" as a shortening of "Mickey Mouse," the cartoon character. In slang this gave rise to the sense of "mick" meaning to mess about or to fool around, as in "to mick off," which picks up the idea of playing or clowning. The two origins coexist, so the word carries both the Irish-name association and the playful Disney-derived meaning, and which one applies depends on the sense in use.