In 2102 it was “GIF” — those looping animated images that the Internet loves.
In 2013 it was “selfie.” Also in running were “phablet” (a cross between a phone and a tablet), “FOMO” (fear of missing out – a Facebook phenomenon) and “Bitcoin” (digital currency).
In 2014 it was “vape” — to smoke a digital cigarette.
And at the end of 2015, the Oxford Dictionaries, arbiter of the language, named an emoji as its word of the year.
The emoji of 2015 is known as “Face with Tears of Joy.”
It’s a first for the English language — the first time a dictionary has included a digital image. But it’s the fourth year running that the OED has named as its word of the year a term strictly associated with the Internet.
As the OED blog explains, emojis are small digital images used to express an idea or emotion.
In its announcement, the Oxford Dictionaries said the “Face with Tears of Joy” emoji beat out other contenders (which included the terms “sharing economy” and “ad blocker”) because it was “the ‘word’ that best reflected the ethos, mood, and preoccupations of 2015.” “Face with Tears of Joy” was also the most used emoji in 2015, making up 17 percent of those used in the US and some 25 percent of those used in the UK.
If you think emojis are ruining true expression, listen up:
“Emojis are no longer the preserve of texting teens – instead, they have been embraced as a nuanced form of expression, and one which can cross language barriers.” —Oxford Dictionaries
Culture changes; language changes. Emoji can be crass representations of “emotions,” but this pictorial language also helps to illuminate intended meaning in a short text message, quick Facebook status update or hurried email. And used well, emoji can introduce irony or sarcasm into a message more powerfully than can words. Plus, as the OED pointed out, they represent a universal language.
Emoji connect us —happy, astonished or crying tears of joy.
COMMENTS
2 responses to “The Word of the Year Is… an Emoji”
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Intro to Translation Tools
Intro to Translation Tools
This lecture will introduce digital translation tools and apps, such as Google Translate.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
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Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
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Morning Stretch
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Internet of Things: Entertainment
Internet of Things: Entertainment
This lecture will explore the many ways we interact with IoT on a day-to-day basis and take a look at how it’s revolutionizing entire industries.
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Morning Stretch
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Discover Live: Krakow, Poland
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Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
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Money Matters
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P2P Payment Services
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Tai Chi
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Stronger Bones
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
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Affordable Home Internet
Affordable Home Internet
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Discover Live: Seville, Spain
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Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
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Intro to Translation Tools
Intro to Translation Tools
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Morning Stretch
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Protecting Your Personal Info Online
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Morning Stretch
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Smartphones at a Glance
Smartphones at a Glance
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Morning Stretch
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Fit Fusion Workout
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eBay & PayPal
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Morning Stretch
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Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
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Tai Chi – CANCELED
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
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Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
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All Things Zoom
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Morning Stretch
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Introduction to Hosting on Zoom
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Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
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eBay & PayPal
eBay & PayPal
This lecture provides an overview of the popular auction website eBay and the pioneer online payment service PayPal.
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Morning Stretch
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
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Online Health Resources
Online Health Resources
Learn how to evaluate health-related information online.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
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Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
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MyChart
MyChart
Learn how MyChart can help you keep all your health information in one place, communicate with your providers, and have a virtual visit.
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
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Discover Live: Tunis, Tunisia
Discover Live: Tunis, Tunisia
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關於 Zoom 的一切
關於 Zoom 的一切
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Balance/Strength
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Morning Stretch
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Intro to Managing Your Privacy
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Morning Stretch
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Online Travel Sites
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Intro to Translation Tools
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Internet of Things: Entertainment
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Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
Money Matters
Morning Stretch
P2P Payment Services
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Morning Stretch
Affordable Home Internet
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Discover Live: Seville, Spain
Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
Intro to Translation Tools
Morning Stretch
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
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Morning Stretch
Mobile Health Apps
Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
Smartphones at a Glance
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Online Shopping
Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
eBay & PayPal
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Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Tai Chi – CANCELED
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Telemedicine
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Morning Stretch
All Things Zoom
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Introduction to Hosting on Zoom
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Morning Stretch
eBay & PayPal
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Online Health Resources
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