Join In
Twitter
YouTube
Weekly Newsletter
Libraries
A-Z Grammatical Terms
A-Z Confused Words
FAQs by Writers
A-Z Awkward Plurals
Punctuation Lessons
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
Mickey Finn (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Mickey Finn"?
A Mickey Finn is a term used for a sedative or a drug that is sneakily slipped into someone's drink. The real Mickey Finn was the owner of Chicago's Lone Star Saloon in the late 19th Century and the early 20th Century. Both establishments were popular with pickpockets and thieves, most of them trained by Mickey Finn. He was also alleged to have drugged and robbed his customers.Table of Contents
- English Proverbs and Idioms Test
- More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms

Examples of Use:
- Don't go to that bar. You might be slipped a Mickey Finn.
- She gave me a Mickey Finn and stole my watch.
- I woke up next to a random guy who was snoring. I think I was given a Mickey Finn.
Previous and Next Sayings
English Proverbs and Idioms Test
More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms
Help Us Improve Grammar Monster
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
Find Us Quicker!
- When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.