It is not a surprise that the codes when speaking or writing go transforming from generation to generationIt has always happened, but today it applies not only to words but also to another form of communication widely used in social media and messaging applications: emojis.
It may seem that these have a universal meaning and that everyone will understand more or less the same thing when they see one, but this changes according to the age of the usersA good example of this is one of the most used, that of hand with thumb up: 👍.
If we look up its meaning in emojipedia, the first is that it indicates approval. But then it points out that “in certain contexts, the use of the thumbs up emoji can be interpreted as passive aggressive or sarcastic“This context is basically that of the so-called Generation Za term that groups those born between 1995 and 2010.
In this segment of users, their employment can be perceived as hurtful, rude, inappropriate or even hostileas The Sun has pointed out. Also as a sharp and abrupt way of ending a conversation.
Obviously, this is not a change that has happened overnight, although it is still surprising for those of us who were not familiar with it. A little over two years ago, a viral video from the TikTok account @genwhyscarlett explained its use. ‘If you ever receive the thumbs up emoji, feel insulted immediately’as well as the meanings of other emojis for Generation Z.
For example, the emoji of Teary eyes represents innocence or sexual excitement; that of the face that has one eye larger than the other and sticks out its tongue means ‘fool’; the one from the inverted face is to be concerned about life and that of others two eyes that we are listening to.
The thumbs up emoji is not the only one that many of us can consider one of the most used, but that is rejected by the younger generations. A study carried out by Global Perspectus Three years ago, after conducting 2,000 interviews with people aged between 16 and 29, they came up with the following list of emojis that make you look ‘old’ on social media:
👍 – Thumbs up
❤️ – Red heart
👌 – Perfect or OK
✔️ – Check mark
💩 – Poop or Poop
😭 – Crying or Crying
🙈 – Monkey with hands over eyes (I don’t want to see)
👏 – Applause