Serious question: where would we be without emojis? Sometimes words just won’t cut it and you need a little pixelated symbol to do the talking for you.
The first widely-used set of emojis were created by Shigetaka Kurita in 1999. These little emotions have since been developed and are now incorporated in all our keyboards, smart phones, and conversations – not to mention the Oxford Dictionary, who named the ‘face with tears of joy’ emoji its 2015 word of the year.
There’s no doubt you’d have a selection of favourite emojis you use on the regular, but what about the ones that are lurking towards the end of each category? Or the ones you use but have no idea what they really represent.
Turns out you’re probably using a few emojis completely wrong. The real meanings of these emojis are going to blow your mind:
Smileys
Did you know that this sad face ? is actually technically a pensive face? It’s just like this crying face ? which is actually referred to as a sleepy face.
The crossed eyes emojis ? is meant to represent dizziness, and apparently there’s a difference between these two emojis: ?? The first is confused, and the second is supposed to be worried.
This is apparently a ‘hushed’ face ? this is an anguished face ? and this guy is meant to be fearful ?
Here are a few more smiley emoji meanings you won’t believe:
? – sad but relieved
? – LOUDLY CRYING
? – confounded
? – persevering
? – an ogre (but I don’t see no Shrek?)
? – weary cat?
? – ‘I Love You’ in Auslan, not the rock hands
? – folded hands… not praying, or high-fiving
? – tipping, not being sassy
Nature and Food Emojis
This is no ordinary tree ? it’s a deciduous tree – duh!
This little guy represents a sheaf of rice ? this is a Tanabata tree ? this is a pine decoration ?this is a tiny bottle of sake ? and this is a Dango ? – a Japanese dumpling and sweet made from mochiko.
Object Emojis
Credit: Giphy
Bet you didn’t know this is an amphora ? a container descending from the Neolithic Period. This weird icon is actually an oil drum ? this is a funeral urn ⚱ and this is a nazar amulet ? believed to protect against the evil eye.
Symbol Emojis
You probably use this emoji all the time ? but it’s no normal heart – it’s a growing heart.
This symbol apparently represents anger ? this is reflective of hot springs ♨ and this means eye in speech ?️?️
Now, go forth and use your newfound emojis with knowledge and power.