15 Emojis Everyone Has Probably Been Using Incorrectly

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