The MLP Arena
Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: InkyMilk on June 02, 2013, 11:45:21 PM
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So, I know the term cutie mark is primarily a G4 thing, but they're still referencing the same exact thing as a symbol-that is, those little pictures on a pony's flank. Again, they both literally mean the same thing.
Now personally, I think the term cutie mark is really adorable, so I like using it even when referencing my non-G4 ponies. Yet I've seen quite often that many folks around here seem to get a little uppity when someone doesn't refer to G1s as having symbols...why? I really don't get it. If they weren't the same thing I could understand, like when some fans confused Flutter Ponies and Pegasus as the same thing as they're both very different, but a symbol and a cutie mark? Unless I'm really out of the loop and a symbol ISN'T the same thing as a cutie mark? Or does it really just come down to G1 v. G4 subconscious rivalry?
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There were two threads like this recently about Cutie Marks VS Symbols.
They should be a few pages back if you want to find them. Lots of different opinions!
I think it's down to personal taste really. I call them all Symbols myself, but there are those that call them Cutie Marks and even butt tattoos! :D
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Oh dang, that's what I get for only looking a couple pages back >_< My bad. Thanks! I'll definitely search back a few more!
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Well, I haven't happened upon any of the previous threads, so I guess I'll just reply here. Personally I reserve the term "cutie mark" for the later generations, but don't think it's really something to get into a fight over. I guess it's a matter of course for many older collectors.
The term "cutie mark" was introduced in G3, if memory serves. Because the term didn't exist for earlier generations, I don't really feel the need to posthumously name them "cutie marks." Besides, I don't think it's an adorable term at all. (The Finnish version "söpöysmerkki" is even less adorable.) Third, it's a question of habit as well. I'm a G1-only collector and know next to nothing about G4. I was raised on G1 ponies and used to call their symbols "kuvio," which is Finnish for "figure, symbol."
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I think it's that 'cutie mark' sounds so saccharine. I imagine boy ponies would find it embarressing :)
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I think it's that 'cutie mark' sounds so saccharine. I imagine boy ponies would find it embarressing :)
Or even some girl ponies, for that matter. :)
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I use them pretty interchangeably. It's sad that someone would get so uppity over something so trivial, but that's the way people are. lol
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I use the term symbol for all gens, just out of preference. I only use 'cutie mark' for G4s and when I'm forced to... like for the CMC... Too me cutie mark makes me think of beauty mark which why would you want a beauty mark on a boy pony (or even tomboy ponies)
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I prefer to use Symbol for G1s and upwards and Cutie Mark for my G4s. it's just preference.
When G3s were about i was under the impression that the heart on their hooves were called cutie marks?
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To me symbol seems more appropriate. The mark is a symbol of who that pony is. I don't think "cutie" has anything to do with it other than I guess cutie mark sounds adorable. I don't use cutie mark or like it, but I don't particularly care what people call it either. To each their own.
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I think it's that 'cutie mark' sounds so saccharine. I imagine boy ponies would find it embarressing :)
I personally don't find it embarrassing myself. No offense to those who do.
Also, I personally love the idea of calling them cutie marks, because it is derived from beauty marks, which is something that "identifies" you as an individual, and a ponies cutie mark (or symbol) is always something that represents the ponies "identity" with "who they are", even before G4's idea that a cutie mark was a metaphor for ones purpose in life, that needed to be earned a cutie mark/symbol always had relevance to the pony's "identity" in someway; as early as G1 it matched either the pony's personality, what they were good at, what they enjoyed doing, or simply just the name of the pony. It would sometimes even be all, or many of the above.
For those of you who prefer the term symbol, you could if you wanted make the same argument that a symbol "symbolizes" the ponies identity, but I have a deep nostalgic attachment to the term cutie mark due to what it means to me, the term maybe something I learned recently, but it reminds me of an important time in my life (which is also why I like the CMC so much).
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I've used both but I guess being a G1 collector (mostly) I tend to say symbol though I have called them cutie marks before now. It's really up to the person if you want to call it a cutie mark go ahead it's not illegal :silly: and no one can stop you (or should). It's just personal preference, I'd imagine G4 only collectors use cutie mark and laugh at us old beans for calling it a symbol.
Butt mark would be cool, or rump rune :rofl: me bad :cool: I'll stick to symbol mainly because it's what I've always called them.
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Butt mark
Lol everytime I get a new pony my wife inspects it and gives them weird names. I remember when I got Gypsy she was all "is this Diamond *** ring pony?" Around here they are forever known as *** marks. :haha:
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rump rune
I say this is the best term for it I've ever heard, can we switch to using this? XD
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I always just say symbol since I was mainly a G1 collector until recently. I usually have myself a little laugh because you can usually tell which Gen the collector likes best when talking about their symbols/cutie marks.
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you can usually tell which Gen the collector likes best when talking about their symbols/cutie marks.
I'm not sure if that applies to me or or not... On the one hand, I love all gens, but on the other hand I like a lot more episodes from G3 and G4, both of which had cutie marks. So I dunno really, but ulitimately I think I just identify with the term cutie mark better.
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I use cutie mark for G3 and G4, symbol for G1 and G2.
You could say they are different actually. Symbols tend to be on both sides of a pony and a cutie mark is only on one side of a pony (in general).
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I guess I am just old school :P I just use "symbol".
I honestly have no problem with who uses what and I agree it almost makes sense to have a G1/G2 symbol and G3/G4 cutie mark divide but I honestly think its a personal preference. We should be able to call them as we wish - symbol, cutie mark, bottom tattoo or rump rune [love that :P].
I certainly dont think its all down to a G1 v G4 thing.
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I guess I am just old school :P I just use "symbol".
I honestly have no problem with who uses what and I agree it almost makes sense to have a G1/G2 symbol and G3/G4 cutie mark divide but I honestly think its a personal preference. We should be able to call them as we wish - symbol, cutie mark, bottom tattoo or rump rune [love that :P].
I certainly dont think its all down to a G1 v G4 thing.
Yeah, that's how I look at it. I realize that calling it a cutie mark for G1 and G2 is wrong, but I still see it as one, because I have a sentimental attachment to the term "cutie mark". Because of that, I wouldn't force someone who liked the term "symbol" to only use it for G1 and G2 either.
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"cutie mark" has always made me want to roll my eyes. :rolleyes:
Although I do find the cutie mark crusaders very adorable. I think because they are baby ponies, it suits them.
However over all, I use symbol. Although I guess what someone else said about using cutie mark for G3 & G4 since they only have the symbol on one side (another issue I have) kinda makes sense.
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I just say "symbol." I don't have a problem with collectors who use the term "cutie mark" but as a mainly-g1 collector, I prefer symbols
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I prefer symbol myself though I have used cutie mark in certain situations. I never liked the term cutie mark. I, like others, find it to be too cutesy. But I have never "corrected" someone on using either term.
A lot of older collectors are a little frustrated with how prevalent FiM has become and how a lot of the new fan base seem to judge and view all older generations through that lens. I suspect that the symbol/cutie mark thing is coming out of that frustration.
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I always say symbol, but it doesn't bother me what other people call it :)
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I find all these answers very interesting :) and I think it's a shame that there does still to be some animosity between different gen collectors, especially when assumptions can be made about a collector over something as simple as this (such as the assumption that all Gen 4 collectors think their way is the "best" way). Personally, I grew up on G1's and I'll always treasure them, but I love the term cutie mark better since it just sounds more adorable to me. But I'm not sure I'd pick the G4 show over the G1...and when it comes to pony toys themselves, I definitely prefer G3 XD
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I've called 'em symbols for over twenty five years, I"m not about to change now. Too old for that. *shakes cane at all you young whipper snappers and your new fangled language* :P
"Cutie Mark" just sounds so... so... Mary Sue. Cutesy desu desu special sparkle snowflake-ism. I like the idea behind it, granted it's just an expansion of what was already laid down with G1, but not the words Hasbro in all its wisdom chose to represent flank markings. It can go right into the bin with "every pony must feature pink or purple" as far as ideas go.