Taking The Mickey

I have been wondering where the phrase “It’s Mickey Mouse…” comes from. Its dictionary definition is something that can be described as trivial, unimportant and uncoordinated. But that still doesn’t tell me where the phrase originates and who or was Mickey? Well, apparently the phrase refers to the Disney character Mickey Mouse (as you would expect). But that still remains a mystery to me because whilst Mickey may be the first “gay” mouse and certainly had a bestial relationship with a dog named Goofy, I am not sure you can describe him as unimportant. And while I am on the subject: how come Goofy could talk but Pluto couldn’t? But, my trusty dictionary says that all of the above characteristics can be attributed to the character of Mickey Mouse. So I must accept that: anything that is trivial, unimportant and uncoordinated, as in the Maori Party, Peter Dunne and the Hamilton City Council, is indeed Mickey Mouse. And, no, I am not taking the Mickey.