Bluebelle became Mummy Starlight because I was bought her at a carboot and even though I was told her real name Starlight didn't have a Mummy so...

Gypsy is Gypsy.

The word Gypsy is not generally a slur in the UK which is where the character originates and it is used as a race identifier within official contexts. That is not to say that the word is accepted by everyone and words are often misused and change with time but it's easy enough to look the topic up within a UK context. To quote a recent parliamentary report:

"We asked many members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities how they preferred to describe themselves. While some find the term “Gypsy” to be offensive, many stakeholders and witnesses were proud to associate themselves with this term and so we have decided that it is right and proper to use it, where appropriate, throughout the report."
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmwomeq/360/full-report.html

Also from the government website:


"The term ‘Gypsies and Travellers’ is difficult to define as it does not constitute a single, homogenous group, but encompasses a range of groups with different histories, cultures and beliefs including: Romany Gypsies, Welsh Gypsies, Scottish Gypsy Travellers and Irish Travellers. There are also Traveller groups which are generally regarded as ‘cultural’ rather than ‘ethnic’ Travellers. These include ‘New’ (Age) Travellers and occupational travellers, such as showmen and waterway travellers."

Obviously if there is a mass movement against the term in a UK  context then I will rethink but at the moment there doesn't appear to be.

In my area both Gypsy and Traveller are used to refer to the two different communities that live in this area. The Travellers own caravans both static and non-static and the Gypsies live on the river in boats.

Going from January's example I'd say US dates only since Australia day isn't there and even my very British diary has that one in. Although it might have an "international holidays" page at the front.

Curiosity compels me I'm afraid.

I know it is generally accepted that ponies are made in batches, some early, some late and I'm wondering if this (combined with age is the issue - I'm leaning more towards age).

I'll paraphrase this by saying my Baby Lemondrop is packed in a box so I can't easily get her out and take a photo, more's the pity.

So, hair. In pictures I've most often seen the stroller baby Lemondrop with either straight or loosely curled hair. Mine has hard curls and when I say hard, I mean crispy as though someone put too much hairspray on her. This is definitely not the case by the way. I know this baby's history and she was bought new from the Toymaster in Tavistock in 1994 (at the earliest) 1997 (at the latest) but I believe closer to 1994. I kid you not. But most importantly I never touched her curls, they bemused me and bewildered me as a small child whose ponies generally had straight hair and most certainly never looked like solidified in place.

Now obviously I don't know how the toy shop treated her in the possibly ten years she was resident (this shop was a positive treasure trove until the late 90's/early 00's if I'd had the money I could have bought the School of Dance and innumerable other things) but in all the pictures of her I've seen online I've never seen one with a perm job like it.

So, yes the question, to those who may remember theirs new: did yours also have crispy curls? Or is mine just an oddity who was stuck in a toy shop for ten years?

Both of mine are towards the tail. One was bought new in South-west UK and the second was bought in a charity shop at the start of the year (for 50p! in practically mint condition  ) also in the South-West. Obviously the second-hand one I can't be certain that is from down here, but I would assume so.

Another geek note but we call them Teeny Weeny ponies. I never thought about that being especially British but that's not how they were released in the US, so, US people - is Teeny Weeny something you would not say?

I remember all of the cards starting with something about them arriving in ponyland and getting that name because the ponies commented "aren't they teeny?" "Aren't they weeny?"

Here's another twist for the set name Taffeta. I was looking through my leaflets and there are actually TWO set names in use for them in the UK. In the 1992 year release leaflet (the big one with Pony Bride on the front that I think you could pick up in the toyshops it's copyright marked 1991 but is for 1992) they are called Teeny Weeny Baby Ponies BUT in the little leaflet from 1991 that came in the packs they are called Teeny Tiny Ponies (it's also copyright 1991).

So the plot of the set name thickens...

Whoohoo!!!

https://www.toymaster.co.uk/product/my-little-pony-classic-earth-ponies/

It's taken awhile but well done Toymaster.

I just had a quick look on Smyths' website. They're anticipating stock in around the 17th to 24th July.
https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/my-little-pony/my-little-pony-potion-dress-up-assortment/p/189866

Argos has the magical kiss Celestia in stock. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8560858 Magical mane Rarity https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8218973 and the dress up ponies https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7650721

There are still tons from the older ranges available though.