Generation after generation, everybody has loved them but it's the younger generation now. They are the ones who truly embrace them, actively changing them and giving them meaning that no one saw coming. Yes, it's the emojis I'm talking about.
And frankly, they're all that anyone seems to be talking about or talking with on social media these days.
Brands are even using them for marketing campaigns in ingenious ways.
In 2013, when emojis were beginning to become the centre of attention, there came a huge influx of stories. A huge speculation whether they were here to stay, or would fade away, like things on the internet do every other day.
7 years later, here we are and oh how the tables have turned! Close to one in five tweets now carry at least one emoji.
Our parents were the first to be blessed with this bold, new world. But their use of “emoticons” was rather limited, straight from the shoulder.
For Gen Z though, a rather twisted bunch of people, the emoji use is just weirder, more ironic. Even more nuanced. It is observable from this list of emojis that have escaped their superiors a little bit!
- The cap emoji
"The cap emoji is pointless and nobody uses it!" "Cap."
"McDonald's is better than KFC!" "Cap."
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, is undoubtedly the best show I've ever watched!" "No cap."
"I'm actually going to be productive today. Procrastinating phase over." "No cap, (secretly cap)."
- The skull emoji
Gen Z is at the verge of taking aim at their parents' usage of the laugh-cry emoji, what's formally called the "Face with Tears of Joy" emoji. The emoji is now referred to as a fashion of yesterday for them. It has been replaced by the now increasingly popular trend, the skull.
It literally means "I'm dead" or "dying", but social media-goers were not buying the age-old meaning. They with their warped sense of humor have scapegoated it. Emoji is now basically the new "LOL" towards something extremely hilarious.
You saw a meme while scrolling through Twitter and are rolling on the floor, dying with laughter? Share a skull emoji, the media landscape will get your feelings!
- The eye-roll emoji
For the age groups 9 to 24, an eye-roll emoji dictates a “duh” mocking gesture. It often expresses sentiments such as: “Yes, I know I am all that and a bag of chips”. Also, maybe “Why would you even bother asking?”.
So, if anybody sent you a message with this emoji: then you should be preparing your best comebacks with a roasting response, guns blazing!
- The slightly smiling emoji
It's round. It's yellow. It looks almost daft, slightly condescending and definitely frustrating! Just like the middle kid vying to be "different" by on purpose going against the grain.
It sticks out and conveys discomfort - not in a sore thumb kind of way - but in a subtle, nondescript fashion.
Mom, "Hey, you left your bedroom like a complete mess. Clean it up before going out next time!"
T, "k (slightly smiling emoji)."
Right, that was awkward.
- The loudly crying face
This emoji is a classic instance of Gen-Z expressing excitement, anger, frustration, laughter and overly spirited feelings. Someone said something hilariously stupid? Or something highly attention worthy you can't handle it? Post it.
- Folded hands
It has been used by young adults on seemingly every occasion. From Easter blessings, celebrating Diwali, to Japanese itadakimasu or Hindu namaste, this marks a gesture of thanks and gratitude.
Whether asking for a simple favor or pleading for forgiveness, 20 year-old's have always had a flair for the dramatic. But it sure gets the work done, no? Folded hands have an appeal of their own!
- The clown emoji
People who think teenagers on social media nowadays aren't creative or self-expressive? Stop clowning! Clowns at once unsettle and amuse us. Perhaps it’s this stress that gets said out loud in
idiosyncratic manners on social media using this emoji!
How do you tell someone that their dressing advice to you belongs in the 1980s? Why, clowning, of course. Apparently, being unknowingly silly or foolish now has an emoji for it in the dictionary!
- Eyes, lips, eyes
The "eye, mouth emojis" is meant to capture a certain lethargic feeling - in Josh Constine's words. The emojis mean you feel helpless amidst the chaotic realities, but there is no escape." What's something that's not a cult but borderline seems like one?
The self-proclaimed fandom of Shein India. (insert eyes, mouth emojis) 'It is what it is!'
The icons capture your wryness and droll exhaustion with your jet-lagged attempt at humor after a long day of work.
- The flame emoji
"I barely watch sports events but considering the rising inclination to mental health's importance by Simone Biles in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 was astounding. (insert flame emoji)"
Lit? That hardly makes sense, right? But unsurprisingly, it does. To teenagers and young adults. While their parents might use a heart to express their approval of someone’s post, Gen-Z does it differently.
They might as well turn to the fire pattern emoji for this, to say in regards to something which is “hot”, “on fire” (not literally), “lit” or “trending”. For a trending movie? Check. For a dance-jam album? Check. For a new Apple android model? Check.
- The cowboy hat emoji
In 2017, the Internet went wild with a new sheriff meme in town. "Howdy, I'm the sheriff of bees. Save the bees!"
For all things, from country music to cowboy hats or for something more playful, this emoji is at top. It can suggest someone is having a feet-tappin' good time or feels empowered. Even like the new sheriff in town.The next time you get a promotion, inform your son on trip with this emoji!
- The pride flag
There always exist some topics on which different generations have conflicting opinions. The acceptance of LGBTQ+ community may be one. Gen Z is far more aware of this gender spectrum than the prior generations. This is quite attainable in their frenzied use of the pride flag emoji.
But we are a dynamically evolving society and there is always room for change! You want to show support to the pride movement? Share this revolutionary emoji alongside your children on Twitter and you might understand a little more of the youth's mindset!
- The goat emoji
Yes, it is a goat, but definitely not in the literal sense. While you are not alluding to the animal, this emoji denotes an acronym GOAT for Greatest Of All Time.
Send your mother the goat emoji, and instead of realizing it’s a compliment (she’s the greatest mother of all time!) she might think you’re calling her, well, a goat. Show her, she has got it all wrong! And cook her a GOAT meal while you're at it.
During the pandemic, there's been a massive growth in internet use. It's changing how we write and communicate. Even brands celebrated this emoji day with quite gusto.
For parents to connect with their children on an emotional level and get on board with their Internet culture. The media development, perhaps learning a little bit of their own language helps them get across. "Get their emojis, get 'em!"
About Gopi
Gopi Adusumilli is a Programmer. He is the editor of SocialNews.XYZ and President of AGK Fire Inc.
He enjoys designing websites, developing mobile applications and publishing news articles on current events from various authenticated news sources.
When it comes to writing he likes to write about current world politics and Indian Movies. His future plans include developing SocialNews.XYZ into a News website that has no bias or judgment towards any.
He can be reached at gopi@socialnews.xyz
