15 Emojis That Are Almost Always Misinterpreted

A conversation on WhatsApp or iMessage without emoji? According to many, that is no longer possible these days. The virtual characters often make conversations more fun, but not always clearer. Emoji misses do happen, and when they do, there are some obvious culprits.

Most of the emoji are pretty self explanatory. A thumb means good and a middle finger means fuck you† Nevertheless, there are some emoticons that are less obvious. Sometimes this has to do with the characters having their origin in Japan. But the emoji also sometimes look different on different operating systems. Which emoji give you the most trouble? We figured it out.

1. The folded hands

• Misinterpretation: Two hands praying.
• Actual Meaning: These clasped hands mean “please” or “thanks” in Japanese.

2. Dizziness

• Wrong interpretation: A (shooting) star.
• Actual meaning: Symbol to indicate that you are dizzy.

3. Raised Hands

• Misinterpretation: Hands depicting hallelujah.
• Actual meaning: Celebrating hands.

4. Head massage

• Misinterpretation: A woman with something on her head.
• Actual meaning: This woman is getting a head massage.

5. A person’s hand up

• Misinterpretation: This emoji is often used to indicate a “sassy” person.
• Real meaning: It is someone who works behind an information desk.

6. The OK gesture

• Misinterpretation: It is quite unclear what this woman is doing. A dance?!
• Actual meaning: She indicates that she is OK.

7. A Deep Bow

• Misinterpretation: A stressed out person.
• Actual meaning: One who makes a deep bow.

8. Open hands

• Wrong interpretation: Two pushing hands.
• Actual meaning: This is a plush toy, or it can be used as Jazz hands.

9. The snot bell

• Misinterpretation: Someone who is crying.
• Actual meaning: A (sleeping) emoji with a snot bubble.

10. Rabbit Ears Women

• Wrong interpretation: Two dancing girls.
• Actual meaning: Two playboy bunny’s or Japanese bunny girls; A pretty woman with two rabbit ears.

11. The Uncomfortable Face

• Misinterpretation: A face that is smiling broadly.
• Real meaning: A face in an awkward situation.

12. Hug

• Misinterpretation: An emoji showing his hands.
• Actual meaning: A hug.

13. Face Enjoying Food

• Misinterpretation: A puppet sticking out its tongue.
• Real meaning: One who is enjoying his food.

14. Face with a drop

• Misinterpretation: A crying emoji.
• Actual meaning: A disappointed emoji with a bead of sweat.

15. Silence

• Wrong interpretation: Doll with no mouth and big eyes.
• Real meaning: Being silent or not being able to say anything, being tongue-tied.