Photo credit: Androidpolice.com
Emoji has become an unofficial universal language in everyday communication. It almost feels like some people were born knowing the proper usage of each one.
Emojis can save you stress of typing a hell of a message, but did you know that the original meanings of some of the emoji you see all the time online and in texts are actually being misinterpreted and used incorrectly?
For some of the less obvious emoji meanings, we can refer to Emojipedia – a site that keeps track of all the emoji that are part of the Unicode Standard.
In the list below, you can find some of the emoji that are most frequently used online or via text message, but are often interpreted as something completely different than what they’re meant to be used for.
Are you using these emoji correctly?
1. Face With OK Gesture
Also referred to as: Ballerina emoji or hands on head emoji
Photo credit: Pinterest
People use it as if (s)he's putting her/his hands on her/his head as a sign of awe, or like a Ballerina in fifth position especially for the lady.
Original meaning: It's supposed to be an OK symbol. The hands are above the head as a way of making an OK sign with the whole body (ie, a circle or a large "O") which is a Japanese gesture.
2. See-No-Evil Monkey
Also referred to as: Cheeky monkey or monkey covering eyes
Photo credit: iEmoji.com
Most people think this monkey’s hands over its eyes suggest a cutesy “oops” expression. It’s not uncommon to find people using this emoji as a way to express embarrassment in an amusing way or to emphasize that they made a funny mistake.
Original meaning: As its name suggests, this monkey is covering its eyes to “see no evil” as part of the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” proverb. That’s why you can see two more monkey emoji alongside this one — one covering its ears and another covering its mouth.
3. Hair Flick Emoji
Also referred to as: Information desk person emoji or Sassy hand emoji
Photo credit: Redbubble.com
People use it has an accompaniment to any sarcastic or sassy remark. Her hands are held outward and flipped out like to say 'I'm better than you'
Original meaning: She is actually holding her hands as if to say, 'how may I help you'
4. Astonished Face
Also referred to as: Drunk face or gasping face emoji
Photo credit: Emoji Island
Since this emoji face has two Xs for eyes, and a lot of people interpret that as someone who is dead or dying. Another emoji called the Dizzy Face is almost identical to this one, but features no upper teeth in the mouth as shown in the Astonished Face emoji. Confused yet?
• Dizzy face emoji
Photo credit: Dribble
Original meaning: The Astonished Face emoji actually has nothing to do with death. But if you want to express shock and astonishment, then use it. On the other hand, if you’re feeling dizzy, you should use the nearly identical Dizzy Face emoji. It may not make a whole lot of sense, but that’s how they were intended to be used!
5. Person Bowing Deeply
Also referred to as: Dogeza, Massage or Bow man emoji
Photo credit: Emoji Stickers
People use it as a 'thinking' emoji to express a thoughtful tone, as a sign of seriousness or as a symbol for the phrase 'forever alone'
Original Meaning: It ought to be a sign of respect. It originated from Japan, Dogeza is the Japanese practice of prostrating or kneeling to show deference to someone powerful, or to simply apologize for a wrong deed.
6. Open Hands Emoji
Also referred to as: Jazz hands
Photo credit: HotEmoji.com
Two open hands are shown here, which could be interpreted in a lot of different ways. Sometimes you’ll see this one used to convey the fluttering jazz dance hand movement you commonly see in some performances. (Jazz hands.)
Original meaning: As jazzy as they look, these hands are meant to express openness, as if someone was inviting you to give them a hug.
7. Sleepy Face Emoji
Also referred to as: Drooling emoji or side-tear emoji
Photo credit: Emoji Stickers
The water drops certainly looks like a tear so people misuse it to mean sadness.
Original meaning: This is an emoji which means tiredness, so it should be used when an individual is tired. It should not be confused with the 'sleeping emoji' (the one with the Zzz's).
• Sleeping emoji
Photo credit: Zazzle
8. Person With Folded Hands
Also referred to as: Praying hands or Thank you
Photo credit: EmojiBase.com
In the Western world, the “person with folded hands” emoji is generally seen as a person praying. People often use it when pleading or to express their desire for something.
Original meaning: In Japan, a folded hand gesture is commonly used to say “please” and “thank you,” so it’s not at all far off from what most people think it means. There was some speculation that this emoji was actually a high-five, and some people do use it for that.
9. Hands Raised in celebration
Also referred to as: Magic hands or Praise emoji
Photo credit: Pinterest
You probably think this emoji should only be for 'praise Jesus' sort of thing, whoops, this emoji can actually be used for a regular person or for celebrating something.
Original meaning: Two hands raised in the air, celebrating success or another joyous event.
10. Neutral Face And Expressionless Face
• Neutral face emoji
Photo credit: Emoji Island
• Expressionless face emoji
Photo credit: Zazzle
Two emojis (and emoji meanings) that are easy to mix up are the neutral face and the expressionless face. Most people tend to use these only in negative situations, so you may be happy to know that you have not one, but two emoji at your fingertips for those times when you’re feeling pretty apathetic about whatever it is you’re discussing with your friends.
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