It’s another day, and yet again, a parent is in an uproar over a toy that allegedly says a bad word. Seriously, folks, the McDonald’s Minion toy is not saying “that word.” Are we really doing this?
To promote the release of the new Minions movie, McDonald’s is offering Happy Meals that come with adorable Minion figures. Some parents are convinced the toy is uttering “What the heck.” Clearly, these folks have never heard Minionese. It’s mostly gibberish, silly sounds, and yes, lots of mentions of “banana.” But no, the toy does not say “that word.”
Check out this YouTube clip featuring the toy in action:
And a local news interview with one of the “offended” parents regarding the toy:
Is this for real? One dad wants McDonald’s to stop distributing the toy because he believes the sound could be interpreted as inappropriate. So, he’s suggesting we toss out thousands of plastic toys that will sit in a landfill for eons over a sound that’s hardly recognizable. And this guy doesn’t even think he needs to wear a shirt for his news appearance? Yeah, I’m not taking his outrage too seriously.
A McDonald’s spokesperson clarified the situation:
“Minions communicate in ‘Minionese,’ which is a random mix of various languages and nonsensical sounds. ‘Minionese’ doesn’t translate to, or have meaning in, any established language. Any perceived similarities to English words are purely coincidental.”
Translation: this toy is not saying “that word,” dear parents.
The so-called “word” emitted from the toy is nothing more than a sound that some parents are mistakenly interpreting. It’s simply absurd. Get a grip, everyone. The only child who will think the Minion is swearing is one who already knows that word. If your toddler is already familiar with that term, you may have lost that battle anyway.
Originally published on July 9, 2015. If you’re interested in more parenting tips or insights, check out our article on home insemination kits. For those exploring their fertility journey, you can find valuable information about intracervical insemination as well. And for anyone looking to learn about pregnancy, visit this excellent resource on pregnancy.
In summary, the Minion toy from McDonald’s is not cursing. Parents are overreacting to a sound that is simply not what they think it is. The Minions speak their own silly language filled with fun and laughter, and it’s best to keep things in perspective.
Keyphrase: Minion toy controversy
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