The emergence of sexting as a form of digital communication is a notable development in the impact of technology on personal relationships. A Kinsey Institute study highlights an important aspect of this trend, particularly its potential impact on mental health. The finding that people who engage in sexting may feel less lonely and depressed suggests a complex relationship between digital expressions of sexuality and emotional well-being. This line of research is particularly relevant in an era where digital communication has a significant place in everyday life.
The use of emojis in sexting is an interesting evolution of digital communication. Standard emoji sets, designed to be universal and family-friendly, do not contain overtly sexual icons. So users adapt existing emojis, endowing them with new, often sexualized meanings. This “hidden” emoji language is a creative workaround that allows innocuous symbols to be used in adult-oriented conversations. This phenomenon demonstrates that digital communication is constantly evolving. It is a prime example of how users can customize technology to suit their communication needs, sometimes in unexpected ways.
What is sexting?
In sexting, emojis act as an unobtrusive way to convey sexual interest while avoiding explicit language. Emoji such as eggplant, banana, peach, and cat are chosen for their visual resemblance to body parts or sexual ideas. This method allows you to communicate without showing overt interest. Emoticons with the tongue sticking out can express desire or sexual readiness, while emojis in the shape of raindrops usually imply wetness or ejaculation. These symbols serve as a subtle but obvious means of conveying sexual messages, making them widely used in sexting.
The term “sexting” entered the public consciousness along with the development of digital means of communication, primarily smartphones and the Internet. One of the earliest publicly reported incidents occurred in 2005 in New Zealand, when a 13-year-old girl posted sexually explicit content on a dating site. This case demonstrates the early onset of sexting as a social phenomenon, even among younger segments of the population.
The practice of sexting, especially in the digital age, reflects a significant shift in the way we communicate sexually. The term itself, which gained widespread acceptance and even official inclusion in the Oxford Dictionary in 2011, emphasizes the impact of technology on personal and intimate relationships.
Meaning and Use of the Sex Emoji
In sexting, emojis serve as a subtle way to communicate sexual intentions without explicitly using words. The choice of emojis like eggplant, banana, peach, cat, and others is not random but is based on their visual resemblance to various body parts or sexual concepts. This subtlety allows for a form of communication that is suggestive without being overtly explicit. Smiley faces with the tongue sticking out can indicate a sense of desire or sexual readiness, while the raindrops emoji is often employed to suggest wetness or ejaculation. These emojis offer a discreet yet clear way to convey sexual messages, making them a common tool in the practice of sexting.
In the world of digital communication, the ð emoji is often used for innuendo, ranging from more innocent images such as lips or cheeks to more explicit ones implying female breasts or male genitalia, depending on the context of the conversation.
The emoji ðĨ (carrot) is sometimes used to refer to the small size of the penis. Because of this connotation, it is often used in a more humorous or teasing context, such as in conversation with friends when discussing past relationships or experiences.
The ð (eggplant) emoji has become widely known as a symbol of the penis, often implying its large size. Its use in sexting has become so common that the emoji has almost become synonymous with male genitalia in digital conversations.
The ðĶī (bone) emoji in the context of sexting can be a direct way to suggest a sexual encounter. Using this emoji is a not overt but clear way to ask a person if they are interested in a sexual relationship. The expression “Dice to throw” is as if to say, “We did the deed (had sex) and parted ways.”
The ðĩ (cactus) emoji emerged as an alternative to the eggplant used to refer to a dildo or phallic object. This replacement was prompted by the need to create a less obvious symbol than the universally recognized eggplant and to provide users with another option to convey similar meanings in a slightly more subtle way.
The ð (apple) emoji, often associated with buttocks in sexting, goes beyond digital flirting. Its use has infiltrated everyday slang, such as in the fashion industry, where “apple jeans” refers to jeans designed to emphasize or fit the buttocks. This shows how sexting language can influence wider cultural manifestations.
The ð emoji depicting a beating heart in the context of sexting often symbolizes sexual arousal. This emoji can also be used to describe energetic body movements, such as in dance.
The emoji ð· (tulip) is often used to refer to female intimate organs. Its flower-like shape allows it to be used as a metaphor for femininity and female sexuality in a discreet but recognizable way in digital conversations.
The emoji ð (broken heart), usually associated with sadness or heartache, is used in sexting to refer to cheek. This unexpected use demonstrates a creative approach to emoji language, where symbols are reinterpreted to fit the context of more intimate conversations.
The ð (lollipop) emoji in the realm of sexting often alludes to oral sex. Its use can indicate various aspects of sexual interaction, such as intimate caresses, tenderness, or readiness for new experiences, especially when one partner wants to hint or communicate oral sex subtly.
The ð (hot dog) emoji has a double connotation. Due to its shape, it can symbolize a male organ, but it is also used to refer to a female organ. In addition, some users use this emoji to refer to non-traditional sex (anal).
The ð (banana) emoji is often used as an alternative to the eggplant emoji to refer to the penis. However, its use goes beyond mere representation; it can be used in a more active context. The banana emoji seems to say, “I can’t wait to get your clothes off and get down to it,” which gives the message a playful and suggestive meaning, hinting at sexual anticipation and arousal.
The emoji ð (pear) is often used to refer to an ass by its shape similar to that fruit. Its shape, resembling the curves of the human back, makes it an appropriate symbol in this context.
The ð emoji (party popper), usually used to denote celebration or excitement, takes on a sexual connotation in the context of sexting. It is often used to refer to orgasm or sexual pleasure received, similar to fireworks. It is a creative adaptation of the emoji, using the image of celebration and explosion to denote the culmination of all sex-related experiences.
The ð― (corn cob) emoji is another example of an emoji used to represent a male penis symbol, similar to the eggplant or hot dog emoji. The opening cob of corn and the long shape of the vegetable is something similar to a man’s dick.
Emoji ð (melon) – in sexting, it can refer to breasts, buttocks, or male organs, depending on the context. Its round and slightly plump shape allows you to hint at these body parts subtly.
The emoji ð (peach) is widely known as a representation of buttocks, often associated with sex and a craving for sexuality. Its shape and juicy appearance make it a popular option for referring to a woman’s rear end, be it buttocks, butt, or any other colloquial term.
The emoji â (Cancer zodiac sign), representing the astrological sign Cancer, has taken on a different meaning in sexting due to its visual similarity to the sexual position 69.
The emoji ðķïļ (pepper) in sexting is a metaphor for spicy or intense sexuality. Its association with heat and spice makes it an appropriate symbol for passionate, expressive sexual encounters.
Emoji ð (tongue) is often used to convey a sense of flirtation or to give a message a sexual tone. It can symbolize sexual attraction or be a subtle hint of sexual acts using language.
In this context, the ð° (chestnut) emoji is often used to refer to buttocks, especially those that are not perfectly round, resembling the shape of a walnut. This creative use emphasizes the emoji’s adaptability to symbolize different body shapes in a more subtle and less overt manner.
The ðŪ (taco) emoji, representing a popular Mexican dish, is often used metaphorically to refer to a woman’s pussy. The image of a taco, especially when combined with the ðĶ (water drop or droplets) emoji, can signify sexual arousal or orgasm.
The ðĨ (flame) emoji is commonly used to refer to a burning lust. Sending this emoji can be a direct way to let your partner know that you are overwhelmed with passion and desire. It is a visually striking and commonly understood symbol, making it popular for expressing strong, fiery emotions in a romantic or sexual context.
The ð (thumbs up) emoji, typically used to express approval or consent, can take on a more intimate meaning in sex correspondence. Paired with emoji such as “taco” or “peach,” which symbolize genitalia, it can signify a preference for touching or a desire to have sex manually, to do something with your fingers.
The emoji ðĶ (rhinoceros), although its sexual connotation is not as obvious, is sometimes used to indicate arousal of the male organ or “horniness” in sexting correspondence. Its effectiveness is often due to the fact that it is used in conjunction with other emoji, giving the exchange added meaning.
The ð emoji (smiling devil) is often used to express feelings of sexual readiness or arousal, with a hint of mischief or devilish intentions. Its playful and slightly mischievous appearance makes it a popular option for conveying a more daring or adventurous mood in sexting.
The ð emoji (OK sign), commonly used as a gesture of approval or consent, has a different meaning in the context of sexting. It is often used to refer to sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. This interpretation is due to the appearance of the gesture: the circle formed by the thumb and index finger represents a hole to be penetrated.
The emoji âĄïļ (lightning strike) is suitable for conveying a strong, almost electric feeling of lust for sex. When someone sends this emoji in the context of sexting, it means a strong spark of attraction or arousal, similar to a sudden and powerful electrical charge.
Conclusion
When using emojis, it’s important to be mindful of their possible double meanings, especially given their role in sexting or “dirty talk” in digital communication. What may seem like an innocent depiction of fruit or objects can carry a completely different meaning in certain contexts.
For example, in sexting, the “eggplant” emoji is commonly used to refer to a penis, while the “peach” emoji is used to refer to a woman’s butt. When combined, these two symbols can mean sex through the anus. So you send a list of vegetables to, for example, an acquaintance who has been asked to buy them for you. She might be thinking of something else instead.
Rethinking the emoji has even led to backlash from major tech companies. In 2016, Apple attempted to redesign the “peach” emoji, making it less intrusive, but the change prompted a notable backlash from users accustomed to its alternative meaning. Similarly, Meta (formerly Facebook Inc.) updated its guidelines in 2019, clarifying that emoji interpretation depends on context. According to these rules, posts on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram containing explicit content can be deleted, even if they consist only of seemingly innocuous emojis, fruits, and vegetables.
