If you've spent any amount of time using social media or messaging apps, you've probably seen a lot of "smiley faces". These little icons are a great way to convey emotion in text form, but what do you call them in English?
The most common term for these little icons is "emoji". This word comes from the Japanese language, where "e" means "picture" and "moji" means "character". The term "emoji" refers specifically to the small graphics that are used to represent emotions or concepts in electronic messages.
Before "emoji" became the standard term, people used to refer to these little icons as "emoticons". This term is a combination of "emotion" and "icon". Emoticons are created using standard keyboard characters, such as :) to represent a smiling face or :( to represent a sad face.
When people use the term "smiley face" in English, they are usually referring to the yellow circle with two black dots for eyes and a curved line for the mouth. This particular image is the most common emoji in use today, and it has been a staple of electronic communication since the early days of the internet.
In addition to the classic smiley face, there are many other emojis that are commonly used in English. Some of the most popular include:
Heart symbol (??)
Laughing face with tears (??)
Thumbs up (??)
Crying face (??)
Poop emoji (??)
Emojis are a great way to add emotion and tone to your electronic messages. However, it's important to remember that not everyone will understand the meaning of every emoji. For example, the use of the poop emoji may be seen as offensive in some cultures, while the thumbs up emoji may be confusing to people who are not familiar with western culture.
When using emoji in English, it's a good idea to stick with the classics and use them in moderation. This will ensure that your message is clear and that you don't accidentally offend anyone.
So there you have it – the various ways to refer to smiley faces in English. Whether you call them "emoji", "emoticons", or just "smiley faces", these little graphics are a fun and useful way to spice up your electronic message. Just remember to use them appropriately and with caution – and always with a smile on your face!
