Nobody’s a stranger to emojis in 2022, but if you use the crying laughing (
) emoji instead of a skull
(
) emoji, then you’re probably not quite down with the kids.
With Gen Z having unlimited access to social media platforms such as TikTok and Twitter, they’ve developed a new emoji language which can be really difficult to decipher.
Language learning platform Preply have given a guide to emojis with hidden meanings you should know, so you can now understand what’s meant by 
at the end of a tweet.
- Skull
What you think it means
You’d be forgiven for thinking this denotes the top end of a skeleton, or even issuing a warning that something is corrosive or harmful.
What it really means
Using a crying laughing emoji just isn’t cool anymore. A now commonly used substitute is the skull emoji which essentially means something is unbelievably hilarious, as in “so funny I could die”, sometimes simply shortened to “DEAD”
- Nail Polish
What you think it means
If you’ve used this emoji to let someone know you’re getting your nails done, that’s understandable.
What it really means
The nail polish emoji is commonly used at the end of tweets or messages making a bold statement. It’s often used to mean unbothered or indifferent. It’s a little bit sassy, like saying “Who cares? Not me.”
Goat
What you think it means
You’ve probably used it to describe what you saw on a day out at the farm.
What it really means
“GOAT” is Gen Z slang for something they think is the best and it stands for “Greatest Of All Time”. A common example is “Ronaldo is the ”, so if someone sends you this emoji at the end of a text, it’s high praise.
Slightly Smiling Face
What you think it means
It just seems like a very normal, simplistic smiley face, designed for, and used to, convey happiness or, at the very least, satisfaction.
What it really means
This is the emoji equivalent of replying to an email with “no worries!”, a passive-aggressive gesture designed to stoke anxiety in the recipient. There are so many more cheerful emojis that you could have used, choosing this smiley face signals tepid interest at best, and straight up contempt at worst.
Clapping Hands
What you think it means
A way to congratulate someone, virtually giving them a round of applause.
What it really means
This can be used to refer to “clapping back”, when someone responds to an insult or criticism in a witty fashion. When used between words (like this ) it indicates extreme emphasis on the statement.
Cold Face
What you think it means
You might have used this in the winter to refer to the icy cold weather to emphasise the fact you crave central heating and a cup of tea.
What it really means
Rather than referring to ice cold winter weather, this emoji is commonly used to refer to harsh or savage behaviour, like “Damn, that’s cold.”
Upside-Down Smiley Face
What you think it means
This could be mistaken for a cool, edgy upside down smiley face that’s just a bit of fun.
What it really means
The upside-down smiley face is usually used to indicate sarcasm or facetiousness (“I’m so happy it’s raining during our beach holiday”). It can also be referred to embarrassing yourself such as “Just tripped over in front of my crush”.
Unamused Face
What you think it means
Slightly angry and disappointed, putting you in a bit of a mood but not enough to be absolutely fuming.
What it really means
The side-eye emoji is perhaps the most flexible emoji in meaning and usage. Described on Emojipedia as “Unamused Face,” side-eye is also used to express scepticism, disinterest, irritation, disappointment, irony, and suspicion. However, it can also be the marker of a one-way relationship on social media, where one side is significantly more into it than the other.
Information Desk Person
What you think it means
Could be mistaken for a woman waving, but nobody thought it was an info desk person.
What it really means
This emoji is apparently a helpful person at an info desk, ready to answer your questions. But typically, it’s used like a shrug, to mean “Who knows?” or “I don’t care!” The figure looks like it’s flipping its hair, which adds a sassy or sarcastic element.
Bee
What you think it means
Simply a bee, probably described to explain what’s feeding from the pollen in your garden flowers.
What it really means
Surprisingly, the bee emoji is most commonly referred to pop superstar Beyonce rather than the insect. Beyonce is commonly referred to as “Queen B” or just “B”, so her fans commonly just use this emoji rather than typing out her name.
