goodhousekeeping.co.za
Jun 11, 2018 8:34 AM

For starters, those hands aren’t high-fiving like you perhaps thought they were…

If you have a smartphone, chances are you’ve used an emoji or two. 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:

1. 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.

2. The Japanese ogre

This red-faced emoji isn’t a mask or the devil – it’s a Japanese ogre, a monster commonly found in Japanese art and literature.

3. 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.

4. The ‘shocked’ face

The double Xs make this emoji look, well, dead – but it’s intended to show astonishment.

5. The celebration hands

See this and think, ‘Praise Jesus’? Womp, womp – it’s actually just a regular person celebrating.

6. The ‘hushed’ face

This appears to be a shocked emoji, but it actually means ‘hushed’. Use it next time you’re in the library.

7. The ‘grinning face’ with smiling eyes

A very impatient child this is not. It’s an extremely smiley, incredibly happy emoji.