16 Emojis You've Been Using All Wrong
For starters, these hands don't mean "praise."
The Folded Hands
If you've been using this much-debated icon to signify a high five, you're wrong. This is actually meant to be a person who is praying or bowing.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Japanese Ogre
This red-faced emoji isn't a mask, the devil, or a character from Where The Wild Things Are – it's a Japanese ogre, a monster commonly found in Japanese art and literature.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Disappointed But Relieved" Face
This looks like a crying emoji at first glance, but observe the placement of that water droplet. It's on the side of the face, signifying sweat (disappointment and relief!) rather than tears.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Shocked" Face
The double Xs make this emoji look, well, dead — but it is intended to demonstrate astonishment.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Celebration Hands
See this and think, "praise Jesus"? Womp, womp — it's actually just a regular person celebrating.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Face Massage
If you've always wondered what's on this woman's head, that would be a set of hands. She's getting a massage — now leave her alone!
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Hushed" Face
This appears to be a shocked emoji, but it actually means "hushed." Use it next time you're in the library.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Grinning Face" With Smiling Eyes
A very impatient child this is not. It's an extremely smiley, incredibly happy emoji.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Kissy" Face
This face looks like it's whistling, but it's actually just another kissy face, one grade below the kissy face with a heart. It's basically perpetually on a first date.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Savoring Delicious Food" Face
The emoji with its tongue hanging out is often used as a goofy or teasing emoji, but surprise! It simply means you are enjoying your food.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Information Desk" Person
If you've been using this to express some sass, brace yourself for the much less exciting truth: It's just a helpful information desk person.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Hot Springs
This definitely looks like steam from a hot cup of tea or soup, but it actually means "hot springs."
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Weary Cat" Face
Though this cat's face appears to be shocked, Unicode insists it is actually just weary.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Face With The OK" Gesture
According to Unicode, this is a woman making an "OK" gesture. Does anybody actually do this when trying to signal that they're OK?
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Name Badge
No fire here, though this certainly looks like flames. It actually means "name badge."
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Person Bowing Deeply
If this guy looks stressed out, it's because he is, in fact, bowing deeply to show how sorry he is. Perhaps he is apologizing for being such a confusing emoji.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Folded Hands
If you've been using this much-debated icon to signify a high five, you're wrong. This is actually meant to be a person who is praying or bowing.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Japanese Ogre
This red-faced emoji isn't a mask, the devil, or a character from Where The Wild Things Are – it's a Japanese ogre, a monster commonly found in Japanese art and literature.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Disappointed But Relieved" Face
This looks like a crying emoji at first glance, but observe the placement of that water droplet. It's on the side of the face, signifying sweat (disappointment and relief!) rather than tears.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Shocked" Face
The double Xs make this emoji look, well, dead — but it is intended to demonstrate astonishment.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Celebration Hands
See this and think, "praise Jesus"? Womp, womp — it's actually just a regular person celebrating.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Face Massage
If you've always wondered what's on this woman's head, that would be a set of hands. She's getting a massage — now leave her alone!
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Hushed" Face
This appears to be a shocked emoji, but it actually means "hushed." Use it next time you're in the library.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Grinning Face" With Smiling Eyes
A very impatient child this is not. It's an extremely smiley, incredibly happy emoji.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Kissy" Face
This face looks like it's whistling, but it's actually just another kissy face, one grade below the kissy face with a heart. It's basically perpetually on a first date.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Savoring Delicious Food" Face
The emoji with its tongue hanging out is often used as a goofy or teasing emoji, but surprise! It simply means you are enjoying your food.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Information Desk" Person
If you've been using this to express some sass, brace yourself for the much less exciting truth: It's just a helpful information desk person.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Hot Springs
This definitely looks like steam from a hot cup of tea or soup, but it actually means "hot springs."
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Weary Cat" Face
Though this cat's face appears to be shocked, Unicode insists it is actually just weary.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Face With The OK" Gesture
According to Unicode, this is a woman making an "OK" gesture. Does anybody actually do this when trying to signal that they're OK?
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Name Badge
No fire here, though this certainly looks like flames. It actually means "name badge."
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Person Bowing Deeply
If this guy looks stressed out, it's because he is, in fact, bowing deeply to show how sorry he is. Perhaps he is apologizing for being such a confusing emoji.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Folded Hands
If you've been using this much-debated icon to signify a high five, you're wrong. This is actually meant to be a person who is praying or bowing.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Japanese Ogre
This red-faced emoji isn't a mask, the devil, or a character from Where The Wild Things Are – it's a Japanese ogre, a monster commonly found in Japanese art and literature.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Disappointed But Relieved" Face
This looks like a crying emoji at first glance, but observe the placement of that water droplet. It's on the side of the face, signifying sweat (disappointment and relief!) rather than tears.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Shocked" Face
The double Xs make this emoji look, well, dead — but it is intended to demonstrate astonishment.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Celebration Hands
See this and think, "praise Jesus"? Womp, womp — it's actually just a regular person celebrating.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Face Massage
If you've always wondered what's on this woman's head, that would be a set of hands. She's getting a massage — now leave her alone!
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Hushed" Face
This appears to be a shocked emoji, but it actually means "hushed." Use it next time you're in the library.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Grinning Face" With Smiling Eyes
A very impatient child this is not. It's an extremely smiley, incredibly happy emoji.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Kissy" Face
This face looks like it's whistling, but it's actually just another kissy face, one grade below the kissy face with a heart. It's basically perpetually on a first date.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Savoring Delicious Food" Face
The emoji with its tongue hanging out is often used as a goofy or teasing emoji, but surprise! It simply means you are enjoying your food.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Information Desk" Person
If you've been using this to express some sass, brace yourself for the much less exciting truth: It's just a helpful information desk person.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Hot Springs
This definitely looks like steam from a hot cup of tea or soup, but it actually means "hot springs."
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Weary Cat" Face
Though this cat's face appears to be shocked, Unicode insists it is actually just weary.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The "Face With The OK" Gesture
According to Unicode, this is a woman making an "OK" gesture. Does anybody actually do this when trying to signal that they're OK?
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Name Badge
No fire here, though this certainly looks like flames. It actually means "name badge."
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
The Person Bowing Deeply
If this guy looks stressed out, it's because he is, in fact, bowing deeply to show how sorry he is. Perhaps he is apologizing for being such a confusing emoji.
PHOTO: Designed by Dana Tepper
For starters, these hands don't mean "praise."
If you have an iPhone, chances are you've used an emoji or two in your past. But are you using them correctly? Thanks to the sharp minds at Unicode, we have the official meaning behind some of the most commonly misinterpreted emojis: