Face With Tears of Joy: A natural History of Emoji by Keith Houston review

An deep dive into the surprising uses and linguistic shortfalls of the ubiquitous symbolsIn 2016, Apple announced that its gun emoji, previously a realistic grey-and-black revolver, would henceforth be a green water pistol. Gradually the other big tech companies followed suit, and now what is technically defined as the “pistol” emoji, supposed to represent a “handgun or revolver”, does not show either: instead you’ll get a water pistol or sci-fi raygun and be happy with it. No doubt this change contributed significantly to a suppression of gun crime around the world, and it remains only to ban the bomb, knife and sword emoji to wipe out violence altogether.As Keith Houston’s fascinatingly geeky and witty history shows, emoji have always been political. Over the years, people have successfully lobbied the Unicode Consortium – the cabal of corporations that controls the character set, including Google, Microsoft, Meta and Apple – to include different skin colours and same-sex couples. It was easy to agree to add the face with one eyebrow raised, the guide dog and the egg. But not every request is granted. One demand for a “frowning poo emoji” elicited this splendid rant from an eminent Unicode contributor, Michael Everson: “Will we have a crying pile of poo next? Pile of poo with tongue sticking out? Pile of poo with question marks for eyes? Pile of poo with karaoke mic? Will we have to encode a neutral faceless pile of poo?” Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Scarlett Johansson becomes world’s highest-grossing lead actor after Jurassic World Rebirth

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Creative Australia chief executive facing mounting pressure to resign after Khaled Sabsabi controversy

TNA Wrestling star ‘tipped to face AJ Styles’ before WWE icon’s retirement

Oasis superfan wants to be front row so Liam Gallagher sees tattoo of his face

Make-up artist Maria Malone-Guerbaa creates face painting transformation

Our Boys: Casualties of war face the enemy within

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Faces Not Just a Sentencing, but a Host of Civil Cases

Culture

Scarlett Johansson becomes world’s highest-grossing lead actor after Jurassic World Rebirth

James Gunn names the three things he never wants to see in a superhero film again

Sherlock star addresses speculation of new series: ‘What would be the point?’

‘Remarkable’ true story of Oasis dog on band’s concert graphics revealed

Netflix thriller climbs up top 10 with new season despite being labelled ‘tripe’

Thriller hailed ‘one of the BBC’s best shows ever’ back for season 3

Bob Vylan singer supports Kneecap in first appearance since Glastonbury investigation

‘Heartbreaking’ horror film available to stream on Netflix ahead of terrifying follow-up

Dear England: BBC announces cast for series based on Gareth Southgate play

‘Profoundly moving’ Live Aid at 40 documentary praised by viewers

Strictly star Dianne Buswell supported by fans after sharing moving tribute to her grandfather

Sid Wilson: The musician who proposed to Kelly Osbourne at Black Sabbath’s final show

Brad Pitt says Tom Cruise dropped out of Ford v Ferrari over driving concern

Mahershala Ali responds candidly when asked about Marvel’s Blade reboot

Anne Reid says Coronation Street pigeonholed her into working class roles

Rivals actor arrested on set ‘hopes to return to TV show’ after charges are dropped

‘Disaster struck when I went to see Oasis perform 16 years ago’

Black Sabbath final show sparks backlash after ‘scumbag’ musician’s appearance

Another Love Island USA contestant removed following backlash over past racist comments

David Corenswet shares Superman advice he received from Henry Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin

Brian Cox hits out at ‘woke nonsense’ after losing temper in rehearsals

Drake seemingly calls out friends who ditched him amid Kendrick Lamar beef in new song

Ali Campbell says there’s ‘absolutely no’ chance of UB40 reunion – and reveals what made him quit band

Coronation Street star Craig Charles worries fans after pulling out of event due to illness

The 18 most devastating TV deaths of all time, from Blackadder to The Last of Us

Ben Fogle honours late castaway David Glasheen who ‘found happiness after losing millions’

Susanna Reid shocks fans as she ‘makes BBC return’ 11 years after exit

The Traitors thrown into chaos as unexpected nightmare ‘puts crew through hell’

Music icon angers fans after performing to near-empty stadium at 3.30am

James Gunn confirms Superman is about an ‘immigrant’: ‘Yes, it’s about politics’

Mark Ruffalo calls out Joe Rogan’s criticism of Trump’s ICE raids: ‘It’s a little late now’

11 wild stories behind Hollywood kissing scenes: ‘Would you two mind if I say cut?’

Michael Douglas says he ‘has no intention’ of acting again after six decades

Great Songs For Your Next Road Trip

This Is Spinal Tap invented the rockumentary – and its influence is everywhere you look

John Cameron Mitchell: ‘I would argue that we’re all non-binary’

The best photos from Black Sabbath's farewell

A video game on 'gold diggers' is fuelling a sexism debate in China

Guru Dutt: The tragic life of an Indian cinematic genius

An Australian woman is found guilty of murdering her in-laws by toxic mushrooms

Rare Hulk stretch toy to go under the hammer this month

‘Too Much,’ Plus 7 Things on TV this Week

Love Island USA’s Yulissa reveals how producers quietly removed her from the show over racial slurs

Lena Dunham on fatphobia, dating advice and her new London rom-com

Midge Ure announces dates for ‘immersive’ tour

Wayne Rooney ‘lands £800,000 Match of the Day deal’ after Gary Lineker’s exit

Sabrina Carpenter brings out Duran Duran at second sold-out BST Hyde Park set

Live Aid at 40 doesn’t go easy on Bob Geldof

Gripping action prequel soars up Netflix charts as fans declare it ‘best in franchise’

Carla Maxwell, Keeper of the José Limón Flame, Dies at 79

Drake seemingly calls out friends who ditched him amid Kendrick Lamar beef in new song

Kneecap at Finsbury Park: 'infamy doesn't weigh heavily on them'

Fontaines D.C. at Finsbury Park: 'the band of their generation'

The Charlatans at Castlefield Bowl: 'that other Manchester band should take notes'

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Play Final Shows in Birmingham, England

Rapper 4xtra reportedly loses his fingers in horrific fireworks accident on Fourth of July

Taskmaster 2025 winner reveals what you didn’t see in ‘best season ever’

Taskmaster 2025 winner reveals plans to return to the show after ‘masterpiece’ season

Glastonbury headliner’s whopping fee revealed after controversial performance

Atsuko Okatsuka