I have a slang dilemma - opinions?

American here, and I know what "taking the piss" means. But then again, I actually used "when we were on holiday" to mean being on vacation a couple of weeks ago, even though I've never been anywhere near England. So, uh, I don't have a point. I'll shut up now.

Well I am Canadian and lived in London for 3 years so I know very well what it means. I think you are fine to use it, however if you are really concerned what north americans might think use, "Taking the mickey". I know a lot of people in London who use that phrase just as much as taking the piss, and it might be less distracting to use mickey instead of piss. While both make you stop for a second and go, "What?" (as a North American), the piss would definitely jar, and perhaps even cause people to simply keep reading and thinking the character was talking about going to the washroom (toilet - took me forever to get used to saying that in the UK). Whereas Mickey would make people wonder, "Hmm what does that mean then?" and they could look it up or something.

DOes that make any sense?

It would sure stop me in my tracks!
We North Americans know what taking A piss means but taking THE piss...well, no....

inanna said:

I know dialogue doesn't have to be "real", and I've tried to be very careful with my slang so as not to overdo it and make it ridiculous (I've already cut as many "bloody"s as I could, and will probably cut more), but this feels like one of those phrases I need to use. The problem is, I think it will just confuse many readers and throw them out of the story if I don't immediately follow up with a translation - which feels a little AYKB awkward.

Any tips, suggestions?

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I think the answer lies in your gut instinct.

FWIW, I rather enjoy when an author throws in the slang from other countries. If I don't know what it means, I ask around or make a mental note to find out later. Right now I'm in the middle of a Nick Hornby book, he mentions your exact phrase, and while I hadn't heard "taking the piss" before, I was able to figure it out. Readers are smart that way. So I'd say go for it. I also keep seeing "in the toilet" as I read Harry Potter to my kid. We both chuckle but now she's learned something about how they refer to bathrooms over there! Maybe I'm in the minority, but I like to get me some 'cultural' edumacation that way. Seriously, now I have a list of things to throw out in conversation--should I ever venture over the pond: Having a row, in the queue (or something like that, referring to line)... and I don't know if it's just Hornby's book (seems to me I've seen it elsewhere) but it's 'arsehole' instead of our lovely American expletive. And without recalling specific books, I loved some of the Irish terms I've learned too, like "bird" for girlfriend and "shite".

Anyhoo. Food for thought as I wear my reader's cap to answer your question.

Personally, I try to avoid slang if I think there'll be some confusion as to it's meaning.

I'd really avoid "taking the piss" or "taking a piss" because to my American sensibilities, it's vulgar.

But that's me and I'd never suggest someone follow my odd moral views.

I didn't know what "taking the piss" was, but I'd probably figure it out using context. Go with what feels right.

inanna said:

I have a British character who likes to tease my MC a great deal, and where he's from it means poking fun at someone or giving them a hard time (mostly in a good-natured way, if *I* understand it correctly).

I know dialogue doesn't have to be "real", and I've tried to be very careful with my slang so as not to overdo it

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I'd opt for using the British term, piss or Mickey. It's real, and American readers will figure out what your character means. There's nothing wrong with keeping it real.

If that what the character would say, go for it--the context can make the meaning clear.