Lego apologizes for ‘back-of-the-bus window-licker’ toy

The toy company Lego was the target of outrage recently after promoting a toy it described as a "back-of-the-bus window-licker."

The toy, called "Turg," features a single eye and a long tongue. Lego had described the toy on its website as an "experiment gone wrong," and as "part frog, part chicken, part back-of-the-bus window-licker, this Mixel has the longest tongue of them all."

Mental health advocates lashed out at the company, saying it used "highly offensive" language in its description of Turg, seen here in a tweet by BBC.

"It's pretty shocking that Lego has used this outdated and offensive word to market one of its toys. There is no doubt that many customers with disabled children will be appalled," says Daniel Mazliah, of the charity Scope, "Lego is a huge brand, loved by millions of young people who might think that this word is acceptable to use. We would ask Lego to remove this word from all marketing."

Lorrain Bellamy, of the charity Mencap agrees, stating, "It is unacceptable that a toy company like Lego have used a term that offends people with a disability such as this, especially as the toy is aimed at children."

Lego has since apologized and removed the description from its website.

Fiona Wright, the company's vice president for UK and Ireland, stated: