Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a consciously ‘genteel’ version of take the mickey (out of) v.; thus Michael-taking n. and adj.

1963–74		B. Humphries Barry McKenzie [comic strip] in Complete Barry McKenzie (1988) 21: I’ll wager Barry’s going to take the Michael out of British decadence.
1980		J. McClure Spike Island (1981) 95: They all know her down here, and try to take the mickey – extract the Michael.
1983		A. Payne ‘Get Daley!’ Minder [TV script] 74: Are you taking the Michael?
1986		T. Winton That Eye, The Sky 102: Taking the Michael out of his girlfriend for being ugly and dropping her falsies in the washing.
1999		Observer 17 Oct. 31: The rest of them are over-paid, over-rated, Michael-taking scum.
2000		Guardian 14 Jan. 21: Ali G am extractin’ da mick from da fashion victim.