NEW YORK -- Some parents claim that this is exactly the question that McDonald's Minion Happy Meal toys are asking kids. And, well, they're not happy about it.
The lovable, animated Minions starred in two hit movies, "Despicable Me" and "Despicable Me 2." The McDonald's toy is tied to the third Minions movie, "Minions," set to open Friday.
The oblong yellow characters speak a gibberish language sprinkled with the occasional English word or syllable both on screen and off. But some parents are posting YouTube videos of the little plastic toys yammering what they claim are obscenities. Some of the clips have gone viral, racking up a million views in a single day.
"Originally we didn't think anything of it," said one parent, identified only as Paul B on YouTube. But he said when his wife picked up the toy she heard something "that didn't quite sound right."
Paul B ends the video saying, "Seriously? Out of a McDonald's Toy."
The videos are getting lots of play, but not everyone is convinced that the muttering Minions are out of line. Parent Rasoal Hall posted a video asking for opinions as to whether others could hear the obscenity, saying he's just not sure.
Plenty of profane commentators on YouTube say the concerned parents are crazy. Others say the fuss will do more to spread the curse word than the toy itself.
"No child would have ever picked up a swear word from that. But they will now," Matt Chaisson wrote.
McDonald's said the noises made by the toy are the Minions' unique language, nothing more.
"We're aware of a very small number of customers who have been in touch regarding this toy, and we regret any confusion or offense to those who may have misinterpreted its sounds," said spokeswoman Lisa McComb. "The allegation that this toy is saying anything offensive or profane is not true."
