Apple recently pushed out a new update for its iPhone users. The update, iOS 9.1, boasts such updates as Live Photo improvements, improved CarPlay stability, and better multitasking performance. But, who cares about that? You’re downloading it for the new emojis.
The update gives users access to over 150 new emoji icons. Some of these are long-awaited additions, while others are more surprising. All of them, however, help us on the path to achieving humankind’s ultimate goal: wordless communication. Like words in any language, emojis carry both denoted and connoted meanings. Here’s a guide for using some of the update's best new emojis ("official" names found on Emojipedia.org).
Name: Jazz Hands. (According to emojipedia.org, this little guy is called “hugging emoji.” Emojipedia is mistaken.)
When to use: Always. There is literally never a wrong time to use this emoji.
What it says about you: You’re the bee’s knees. The elephant’s eyebrows. The cat’s meow. Absolutely jazzy, daddy-o.
Name: Coffin
When to use: When you literally can’t even. When something is so funny you “are dead.”
What it says about you: You are dead. RIP you.
Name: Alembic
When to use: When talking about chemistry. When you don’t know what an alembic is.
What it says about you: You’re a science teacher. Alternatively, you’ve seen "Breaking Bad."
Name: Unicorn
When to use: Never. Unicorns aren’t real.
What it says about you: You’re either 12 or had trouble letting go of your childhood. Alternatively, you’re Lisa Frank.
Name: Hole
When to use: When you need to make a quick exit. When you are completely empty and lacking any describable emotion.
What it says about you: You just said something incredibly awkward and have no way to fix it. Alternatively, you are the void.
Name: Sign of the Horns
When to use: When you’re too punk rock for something. When you’re making fun of someone who thinks they’re too punk rock for something.
What it says about you: You are the most metal rock god. You’ve probably had some bearded, metal-core frontman throw his beer at you, and you enjoyed it. You vape.
Name: Middle Finger
When to use: When you’ve run out of ways to insult someone.
What it says about you: You lack creativity. You probably waited years for this emoji and you finally have it. Good things come to those who are unoriginal.
Name: Thermometer Face
When to use: When you’re sick, but not “medical mask emoji” sick.
What it says about you: Someone probably asked “Where were you today?” and you needed a way to succinctly excuse your absence. At least you’re quick on your feet, right?
Name: Slightly Frowning Face
When to use: When you’re sad, but not “disappointed face” sad.
What it says about you: You’re pretending to be sympathetic. You really don’t care about the sob story you were just told, but ignoring it just seemed too cold.
Name: Upside-Down Face
When to use: When you have no idea what’s going on.
What it says about you: You have no idea what’s going on.
Name: White Frowning Face
When to use: When you’re at the end of your rope. When you’re feeling genuine despair. When you’re so sad, you’re almost mad.
What it says about you: You are not to be messed with; you actually invoked one of the only emojis that truly represents what it symbolizes. Powerful stuff.
Name: Eye Roll
When to use: When you’ve just rolled your eyes. When someone says something dumb, but your eyes have remained stationary. When someone is being “so extra.”
What it says about you: You probably got yelled at by your mother for rolling your eyes at her on more than one occasion.
Name: Thinking Face
When to use: Sarcastically, when you’re not actually thinking about something. When someone asks you something so obvious, you can’t answer in any way other than this emoji.
What it says about you: You need smarter friends.
Name: Burrito
When to use: When you’re hungry. When you need to satisfy that craving for Americanized Mexican staples. When you’ve got barbacoa on the brain.
What it says about you: You probably eat Chipotle at least once a week.
Name: Taco
When to use: When you’ll eat anything. When it’s late at night and you’ve got the munchies.
What it says about you: You probably don’t have enough money for Chipotle.