YOUTH 01
It’s Been Emojional
Emoji is the most communicated language in the world today. Digest that for a moment. The explosion of smartphone emoji apps has insured these miniature portraits have become a staple part of youth vernacular across the world, bringing added colour and emotion to WhatsApp messages, Snapchat stories and Facebook status updates. For the uninitiated, The Youth Lab is going to shed some light on what the most-used emojis actually mean. You are never going to look at the splash emoji the same way again. Let’s get emojional.
What you think it means:
A celebration of your new manicure.
What it actually means:
The nail emoji adds a subtle hint of sarcasm to a message. It’s a nice way of being a ‘little bit bitchy’ without really offending somebody.
Can you put it in a sentence please?
That top actually really suits you, you should wear it all the time.
What you think it means
A cute little girl pointing left.
What it actually means:
This emoji adds a layer of sassiness to your message. You incorporate this little buzzer into your Tweet/Insta photo when you know you are looking well and want to be a little bit cocky but not arrogant.
Can you put it in a sentence please?
LOVING my new hair. #shamelessselfie
What you think it means:
See no evil.
What it actually means:
This emoji is a great way to trivialise something that you have done wrong but want to tell people. It’s essentially your admittance of a mistake, but one that you are sort of proud of.
Can you put it in a sentence please?
Ok so I ended up scoring him last night and he still has a girlfriend.
What you think it means:
Peace!
What it actually means:
The peace sign is a new way of saying ok and finishing off a conversation. It is a great way to get out of an endless Facebook messenger thread without offending anybody. It’s essentially the 2015 way of saying ‘sound’.
Can you put it in a sentence please?
Person 1: So are you totally happy with where we are going tonight?
Person 2:
What you think it means:
A splash of water
What it actually means:
A different type of splash, a love splash, (semen to be precise!).
Can you put it in a sentence please?
He is so hot, I actually can’t cope.
What you think it means:
A doctor, maybe a dentist.
What it actually means:
This emoji highlights when you are absolutely ALLERGIC to someone or something. It is the ultimate emoji diss.
Can you put it in a sentence please?
I literally can’t stand her. She is in bits. 😷