emoticon - technical definition

A string of ASCII text characters used after a sentence in e-mails and newsgroup postings intended to represent a facial expression and to convey the sort of emotion that plain text does not otherwise support. Common examples of emoticons (meant to be viewed sideways) include those shown in the following table. EmoticonMeaning :-) or :) or =) Smile or happy ;-) or ;) Winking and smiling :-( Sad :D or :-D or =D Big smile :-0 or :0 or =0 Surprise or shock >:-( Angry >:-) Evil smile 0:-) Innocence (Halo over the head) :-x No comment or My lips are sealed or I shouldn't have said that Common examples of emoticons meant to be viewed without rotation include those shown in the following table. EmoticonMeaning ^_^ Smile or happy ;_; Sad and crying -_Annoyed \\// Peace or live long and prosper (Mr. Spock of Star Trek) \@^@/ or \O^O/ Look closer (glasses) ("\(^_^)/") Big hug See also e-mail, emotag, and newsgroup.