Emoticons got you frowning? Here’s your Rosetta Stone
June 18 2007
Ever get an email message that looks like a computer-age version of hieroglyphics? You’ve probably encountered an “emicon” — an “emotional icon” intended to inject some feeling into the bland text of the message. Here’s your Rosetta Stone:
=) or :-) Smiles
;) or ;-) Smile with a wink
:-|| or >:-< Mad
:-[] Very Mad
:> or :-> = Devious smile
:-( or :'-( Sad, crying
:-)) = Really happy
:c = Bummed out
:O or :-O = Shouting
:-D = Big grin
:-* = A kiss
:-o = Wow! or I'm surprised
:-| = Grim
:-P = Sticking out your tongue
:-/ or >:) Perplexed
=:O = Frightened (hair standing on end)
=8O = Bug-eyed with fright
:-} = Embarrassed smile
:-~~~ or :-F Drooling
.) = Keeping an eye out for you
8:-) = Glasses on forehead
8:] = Smiling face of a gorilla
8:[ = Frowning face of a gorilla
0:-) = Angel
]:-|[ = Robot
(:V) = Duck
3:-o = Cow
:-] = Vampire
(_8-(|) = Homer Simpson
C|:-= = Charlie Chaplin
=|:-)= = Abe Lincoln
*<:-) = Santa Claus
(:)-) = Scuba diver
:-'| = User has a cold
:-{} = User with heavy lipstick
:-)8 = User is well dressed
*#:-) = Scotsman wearing his Scottish tam
%-^ = User is another Picasso
<:I = Dunce
:-| = "Have an ordinary day!"
:}{: = Kissing
oooo(0) (0)oooo = Toes
(-_-) = Secret smile
|-O = Yawning
|^O = Sleeping/Snoring
:-x = Quiet
-------(@ = A rose