These emoji and acronyms are no longer cool, says social media analysis

Sentiment analysis on social media suggests that certain emoji and internet acronyms are now falling out of favor, either being used less frequently, or attracting negative comments.

Top of the list is the enraged pouting face, aka 😡, while RIP is the most disliked acronym …

The enraged face is widely considered to have been overused, representing an exaggerated reaction to minor inconveniences. The acronym RIP is likewise felt to be so overused to denote a humorous reaction to the loss of something that it’s now a cliché.

Overuse is a common theme to other emoji and acronyms now considered to be past their sell-by date, reports Becextech, which commissioned the study. Here’s the rest of the top 10 least cool:

3 – ‘WTF’

‘WTF’ is next on the list with an extinction score of 32.2 and typically conveys a series of emotions such as disbelief, confusion or shock depending on the context. Social media users now argue that the phrase has been overused and has lost its shock value.

4 – Skull emoji (💀)

The next emoji predicted to go extinct is the skull receiving a score of 30.1. The skull emoji is often used in text to humorously convey the phrase ‘I’m dead’ to describe if users find something hilarious, but it can also mean the feeling of tiredness.

Similarly to the top phrases above, social media users claim this emoji is now being used for everything and no longer communicates the playful term, instead it has been devalued to reflect the context to be ‘mildly amusing’. 

5 – Pleading emoji (🥺)

The pleading face is deemed as the fifth over popularised emoji earning an extinction score of 29 overall. While this emoji has been used to illustrate a series of expressions such as affection, begging or hurt, it’s also used to express the feeling of being cute or flirty. 

A social media user shared, “Using the pleading face emoji just feels like an overused way of asking for attention.”

6 – ‘FOMO’

‘FOMO’, an acronym for ‘fear of missing out’ is the sixth text phrase considered to go extinct with a score of 28.4. Tied to the emotional or mental state of social anxiety on having missed a social event or opportunity amplified by social media trends, users reveal that although it’s a phrase that can sum up how numerous people feel, it no longer expresses an emotion but a trend. 

7 – ‘SMH’

In seventh place with an extinction score of 26.7 is ‘SMH,’ which stands for ‘shaking my head’. It is not to be confused with the phrase ‘so much hate,’ as many social media users often assume. 

The text phrase ‘SMH’ is used to express the feeling of frustration, disappointment or even embarrassment depending on the context but users claim this expression has now lost its sting. 

8 – ‘IKR’

Next to go extinct is the text phrase ‘IKR’ which stands for the expression, ‘I know right?’ with a score of 26.6. Many social media users now question whether this phrase is an engaging response or is now only used to fill the space or awkwardness in conversations.

9 – Thinking face emoji (🤔)

The thinking face claims the ninth spot as the most over-popularised emoji with an extinction score of 26.2, with social media users professing that it no longer signifies the deep thought that it once demonstrated and its meaning becoming diluted due to the overuse of the expression.

10 – Snake emoji (🐍)

The snake is the last emoji to go extinct by 2025 with a score of 26. This emoji has been commonly used to express if something is untrustworthy or sneaky. However, social media users feel it has now become a ‘basic’ expression and should no longer be used for every ‘shady’ comment. 

So RIP the use of those emoji and acronyms, I guess … 🤔

Photo by Denis Cherkashin on Unsplash