These emoticons were limited to a maximum size of 19x19 pixels and could not be animated, but still allowed for some very interesting emoticons to be created. It allowed users to add their own emoticons and use them in conversations. When MSN Messenger 6 was launched in mid-2003, it introduced custom emoticons as one of it's revolutionary new features. We've got both types of icons on the website. There are generally two flavors of emoticons, the static (not animated) icons and the newer and more stylish animated emoticons. This can be a little confusing, specially since they're even sometimes referred to as smilies! Static vs Animated Emoticons In reality, the words 'Smileys' and 'Emoticons' are used interchangeably and practically mean the same thing.
Emoticon Can be used to refer to any icon that has meaning, like our text and lol emoticons Smiley Should generally be reserved for yellow faces (even if they're not smiling). Emoticons or Smileys?Īlthough somewhat synonymous, there is a slight different between these two terms. Want to learn more about the history of emoticons? We've prepared a little history lesson for you on the emoticon history page. The Emoticon or Smiley has been around for over 25 years and is officially recognized by most dictionaries today. send them a smiley and leave the rest to their imagination! Emoticons can dance, laugh, cry and giggle their way into your chats, a smiley can sometimes convey much more than words alone. Smileys add a human touch to the the otherwise cold and inhuman nature of Internet communication. Today, Emoticons are all over the Internet: blogs, forums, Instant Messaging, email and even on mobile phones and similar devices. In a way, emoticons are an online substitute for real-life properties such as the expression on your face or the tone of your voice, they help you to clearly set the context of your messages. They're extremely helpful in situations where words just simply aren't enough. The terms Smileys and Smilies are also used to refer to Emoticons, but we'll get to that a little bit later.Įmoticons are emotional icons or graphics: a visual way to express your emotions, attitude, how you feel and what you want to say. The word Emoticon is a combination or blend of the words Emotion and Icon, its pronounced as Emoti-con (/i motikon/). See more new emoticons What are Emoticons?