Emoji Meanings – decoding the hidden digital language of today’s teens!

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Carolanne Bamford-Beattie

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Parents guide to emoji slang

Parents guide to emoji slang

Have you ever received a text from your teenager that left you scratching your head? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Emojis – those colorful characters that cover everything from emotions to household items – are being used to creatively communicate hidden messages and meanings.

If you’ve noticed your child is using emoji meanings to text their friends, or you’re concerned that they might be having conversations they shouldn’t, don’t worry! We’ve been busy translating. What follows is the virtual Rosetta Stone of emoji meanings – the ultimate tool to decode this modern method of communication. Read on for more!

Some common emoji meanings and teen slang

???? One-hundred – or 100%

This is used to show admiration or total agreement with a person or point they’re making.

???? Avocado

A modern food staple, the avocado’s popularity has soared in recent years, which may describe why teens are using it to mean ‘basic’ – or something that’s so trendy that it’s not cool anymore.

???? Goat – an acronym meaning “Greatest of all time.”

Used most commonly when referring to sporting or entertainment heroes.

???? Snake

Used when describing someone with a sneaky or slippery character. The emoji found popular culture fame when used by Kim Kardashian to describe rival, Taylor Swift.

???? Octopus

With its 8 appendages, the octopus emoji is used as slang for cuddles or a virtual hug.

???? Pizza

In plainspeak, it’s a slice of pizza, but in emoji meanings, it can be used from time to time to mean ‘I love you’ – sweet, not savory.

???? Fire

With multiple meanings, ‘fire’ can be used to describe something that’s very good, but it can also mean ‘lit’ – slang for a party atmosphere. The fire emoji is also used to describe when someone is looking hot or sexy.

❄️ Snowflake

The negative term for younger people (typically Gen-Z) who are seen to have an overly sensitive view on life. But, watch out for context – it can also be used to mean cocaine.

???????? Fingers pointing to each other

For reasons unknown to anyone over the age of 25, this emoji combination means ‘feeling shy’.

✍️ Hand with a pencil

Taking notes. But not really in a scholastic way, more of sharing advice or tips with a peer.

???? Kitchen Knife

On the macabre side, the knife emoji can be used to show that the sender is in a bad mood or the mood to be destructive.

???? Painting nails

You’d think this means going to the salon, right? Wrong! The painting nails emoji is used to express a carefree or ambivalent attitude to something that’s happening.

????‍♀️ Two girls with bunny ears

In its most innocent form, this emoji typically means two friends looking forward to a night out. The darker side to this emoji is that it can be used to mean ‘sex worker’.

????‍♀️ Woman with hand out

This can be used to show confusion or a sassy ‘I don’t know, and I don’t really care’ attitude.

???? Clapping Hands

This one depends on the way it’s used. If you see it posted between every word in a sentence, it’s supposed to create a passive-aggressive way of putting a point across.

???? Water closet sign

When used in emoji meanings, the WC symbol means ‘woman crush’.

???? Fishing pole

Used to mean bait, or fishing for something – usually compliments.

???? Baseball cap

Used to flag that someone is telling a lie.

???? Skull

Meaning ‘dead’, which, in this context means something ‘dead funny’.

???? Clown

Watch out for this one if you’re worried about cyberbullying. The clown emoji can be used to describe someone in a negative way as if they’re embarrassing or foolish.

????‍♀️✨ Tinkerbell and sparkles

While this one looks super innocent, it actually denotes a sarcastic, mean-spirited tone, so one to watch if you’re worried about bullying.

???? Ghost

Not just for Halloween, the ghost emoji can be used to represent blanking or ignoring someone after dating them, commonly known as ‘ghosting’.

???? Theater masks

Used to indicate someone is being dramatic or fake.

???? Duck

Often used to mean someone is avoiding something or dodging a question.

???? Frog

Typically used to indicate gossip or being shady, sometimes accompanied by the tea emoji ☕.

???? Loudspeaker

Can be used to indicate someone is making a big announcement or exposing someone.

???? Rocket

Symbolizes something taking off quickly—whether success, excitement, or an idea.

???? Bowl of noodles

Can be slang for ramen, which means being broke or struggling financially.

????️‍♂️ Detective

Often used to suggest someone is investigating or looking into something suspicious.

???? Bee

Can symbolize ‘being busy’ or working hard.

???? Microphone

Sometimes used to represent ‘dropping the mic’ after making a strong point.

Sexually suggestive and innuendo emoji-slang

???????????????????? Aubergine, microphone, grapes, circus tent and banana

All of the above (and any emoji symbol that is remotely phallic) can be used to symbolize male genitalia. Check the context to be sure that it’s being used suggestively. 

???? Smiling Face With Horns

A  signal that the sender is suggesting sexual behavior or talking about it. 

???? Peach

Keeping on with the food theme, the peach is most commonly used to represent a person’s behind.

???? Sweat Droplets

This one is particularly crude and can be used to symbolize both an orgasm and/or sexual acts. 

???? Eyes

The wide eyed emoji can be used to request nude or inappropriate pictures. 

???????? Cherries and melons

Any and all round fruits can be used to symbolize breasts. Cherries may also be used to represent virginity. 

???????????? Open mailbox, tongue out and camel (humps/humping…)

All of these cryptic emojis can all be used to refer to having sex. 

???? Dizzy Face

Seeing something x-rated, typically used in exchanges of nude pictures .

????‍♀️ Woman with raised arms

Sometimes used to symbolize a woman’s orgasm. 

Hourglass

Like the phrase ‘hourglass figure’, this one can be used to refer to a woman’s body shape.

????️ Camera film

Used as a request for an x-rated movie.

????️ Computer screen

Used for asking to have an x-rated chat. 

???? Camera with the flash on

Used to symbolize flashing or taking sexting to the next level with nude pictures.

????️ Chili or hot pepper

Meaning ‘spicy’ and used to mark out inappropriate or risky content.

???? Corn

It rhymes with Porn and is used to mean exactly that. One that has sprung from how users get around TikTok’s inappropriate content rules. 

Drugs, drinking and partying symbols in emoji-slang

⛽????????????????✔️???? Fuel or Gas Pump, leaf, tree, broccoli, four-leaf clover, checkmark and maple leaf

These symbols can all be used as code for marijuana.

???? Electric Plug

Used to represent a drug dealer, this one has a history lesson. The word ‘plug’ was used in the 1930s to mean dealer too as they ‘connect things’. 

???? Trail of smoke

This has a couple of meanings. It can represent smoking or vaping, or exiting somewhere so fast you leave a trail.

???? Love Hotel

A code for a sex worker’s premise or brothel. 

???? Syringe

Is used commonly to say someone is getting or has got a tattoo, but can also be used to talk about drugs. 

???? Pill

Talking about drugs, this is reportedly used by dealers to denote that they have heroin available. 

???? Face with steaming nose

This one can also be used by drug dealers to  symbolize MDMA. In its most innocent format, it depicts anger. 

???? Rocket

A symbol of power and potency, the rocket emoji can be used to describe the effects of drugs and drinking alcohol. 

???? Drooling Face

This one can be used to represent the way people might behave after taking Ecstasy, or ‘Molly’.

???? Woman Dancing

Representing the urge to have a big party – most likely with drinks and dancing.

We hope that we’ve shed some light on the emoji meanings today’s teens are regularly using. If you have one we’ve missed, let us know!