We use them in e-mails, texts, in the BBS, and chatting in Whyville. We use them to express what we're feeling when our faces are not shown. That's right, I'm talking about emoticons. So what exactly is an emoticon? The words "emotion" and "icon" are combined to form the word "emoticon". The actual definition according to dictionary.com is, "a sideways glyph used in e-mail to indicate an emotion or attitude." Emoticons are also known as "emotes" or "smileys".
Who was the first person to use an emoticon?
There are many theories as to who invented emoticons. Some say a man named Scott Fahlman used the modern sideways emoticons :-) to express humor or pleasure and :-( to express seriousness or displeasure, in 1982. Others believe that in 1979 Kevin Mackenzie used -), which meant "tongue-in-cheek". There is really no actual date as to who invented the emoticon.
Can emoticons be used for other showing emotions?
Yes. Some emoticons can be used to point to something, or can be used to show an animal. For example:
(\___/)
(=^.^=) Bunny/Rabbit
@(^_^)@ Monkey
})i({ Butterfly
Fun Facts:
Did you know that emoticons differ from each hemisphere (east and west)? It's true. In the eastern hemisphere we typically read emoticons from left to right or sideways such as :) and :(, while the western hemisphere typically reads emoticons upright such as ^_^ (happy) or O_o (shocked, puzzled).
Some instant-messaging programs have a set of "hidden" emoticons that do not show up in an obvious spot. You have to type the emoticon out, and it turns into a more complex version.
Emoticons aren't just appearing on the Internet anymore. Emoticons can be seen on jack-o-lanterns, novelty gifts, and even tattoos!
According to a survey on Yahoo!, 83% of 40,000 people used a smiling emoticon and an emoticon to express flirting the most.
Now that you know all there is to know about emoticons, will you think twice about what that emoticon you're typing really means? Probably not, but at least you're educated in emoticons.
Off to bake a cake,
Jelloroks
Author's Note: Sources: http://www.sherv.net/emoticon-history.html
http://tech-wonders.blogspot.com/2009/02/emoticon-of-smiling-face-smiley.html
