Misunderstood

We are using these emojis completely wrong

Many emojis are used incorrectly.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

A picture is worth a thousand words. But what if the picture is completely misunderstood? A look at the emojis used dozens of times a day in mobile communication shows that many of them are used contrary to their actual meaning. A contribution to better international understanding on the occasion of World Emoji Day.

The first emojis saw the light of day at the end of the 1990s with the Japanese mobile phone provider DoCoMo, but their origins go back much further. However, it was only with their inclusion in the international Unicode standard that a globally standardized coding system was created for picture characters.

This emoji is neither crying nor mourning, but simply sleeping.

(Bild: Wikimedia)

This emoji is snorting with rage, right? Wrong: it is triumphant.

(Bild: Wikimedia)

This emoji is neither surprised nor shocked. Instead, it represents disapproval.

(Bild: Wikimedia)

This emoji is not sleeping, as many assume, but is relieved.

(Bild: Wikimedia)

Sheer horror is written all over this cat's face, isn't it? But don't worry: it's just yawning.

(Bild: Wikimedia)

No clapping or high-fiving - these hands are praying or saying thank you.

(Bild: Wikimedia)

This emoji is often used for anger, but it's grinning - with determination or pain.

(Bild: Wikimedia)

This emoji is often used for carefree/cheeky, but it's an information lady.

(Bild: Wikimedia)

How the colorful emojis are interpreted, however, is - probably due to their Japanese origin - very different in many countries, which is why the Unicode Consortium, which is responsible for the development, publication and administration of emojis, has to keep "tweaking" facial expressions and gestures so that the images are used and understood correctly by as many people as possible.

For example, a change note from the consortium shows that the supposedly crying emoji is not actually shedding a tear. You can see what the emoji really stands for instead in our slideshow. If you would like to know more about emojis: On the website of the Unicode Consortium (unicode.org/emoji/charts/emoji-list.html) you will find a list of all the nearly 3800 emojis currently in use, including their meaning.