One of the hazards of texting is miscommunication. And it's not just your words that can be misinterpreted, now it's the emojis you use as well! Some people are really overthinking things. Apparently nowadays the innocuous smiley face emoji doesn't mean what you think it means any longer.
We have Gen Z to thank for this craziness. That happy, shining yellow grin is now being considered a sarcastic smirk. And many say it is ONLY meant to be used sarcastically.
The Guardian reports, “Nothing says ‘I hate you’ more than a smiley face emoji… It’s a tool of passive aggression and dismisiveness. A smiley face emoji at the end of a message is a patronizing pat on the head from somebody who wishes you nothing but ill fortune.”
I've just gotta wonder who is thinking this deeply about the hidden meaning behind an emoji? Plus, there already is a smirking, sarcastic type emoji. Has that one's meaning changed as well?