For starters, those hands aren’t high-fiving like you perhaps thought they were…
If you have a smartphone, chances are you’ve used an emoji or two. But are you using them correctly? Thanks to the sharp minds at Unicode, we have the official meaning behind some of the most commonly misinterpreted emojis:
1. The folded hands
If you’ve been using this much-debated icon to signify a high five, you’re wrong. This is actually meant to be a person who is praying or bowing.
2. The Japanese ogre
This red-faced emoji isn’t a mask or the devil – it’s a Japanese ogre, a monster commonly found in Japanese art and literature.
3. The ‘disappointed but relieved’ face
This looks like a crying emoji at first glance, but observe the placement of that water droplet. It’s on the side of the face, signifying sweat (disappointment and relief!) rather than tears.
4. The ‘shocked’ face
The double Xs make this emoji look, well, dead – but it’s intended to show astonishment.
5. The celebration hands
See this and think, ‘Praise Jesus’? Womp, womp – it’s actually just a regular person celebrating.
6. The ‘hushed’ face
This appears to be a shocked emoji, but it actually means ‘hushed’. Use it next time you’re in the library.
7. The ‘grinning face’ with smiling eyes
A very impatient child this is not. It’s an extremely smiley, incredibly happy emoji.
8. The ‘kissy’ face
This face looks like it’s whistling, but it’s actually just another kissy face, one grade below the kissy face with a heart. It’s basically perpetually on a first date.
9. The ‘savouring delicious food’ face
The emoji with its tongue hanging out is often used as a goofy or teasing emoji, but surprise! It simply means you are enjoying your food.
10. The ‘information-desk’ person
If you’ve been using this to express some sass, brace yourself for the much less exciting truth: it’s just a helpful information-desk person.
11. The hot springs
This definitely looks like steam from a hot cup of tea or soup, but it actually means ‘hot springs’.
12. The ‘weary cat’ face
Though this cat’s face appears to be shocked, Unicode insists it’s actually just weary.
13. The ‘face with the OK’ gesture
According to Unicode, this is a woman making an ‘OK’ gesture. Does anybody actually do this when trying to signal that they’re okay?
14. The name badge
No fire here, though this certainly looks like flames. It actually means ‘name badge’.
15. The person bowing deeply
If this guy looks stressed out, it’s because he is, in fact, bowing deeply to show how sorry he is. Perhaps he is apologising for being such a confusing emoji.
Illustrations: Designed by Dana Tepper
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