What d'ya mean, it's only a smile?

[HerenIstarion]

Recent discussion on The Dunedain raised the issue. What meanings do we associate with smilies?

I can not post them all, as the total number is restricted to three, but I will post codes with spaces in between. Remove spaces, and you'll know which is which

so, listed values:

: o - embarrassment'
: eek : - 'EEK!
: ( - 'frown'
: mad : - mad
: ) - smile
: rolleyes : - sarcastic
: cool : - cool
: p - stick out tongue
; ) - wink
: smokin : - squatter
: D - big grin
: confused : - confused

I suppose (and I've seen the paragons to prove it) that values given do not necessarily comply with general usage. Per instance, 'sarcastic' smiley was exploited by many to express 'exasperation or self-effacement'. I must confess my usage was the same until I've read its listed value some months back. It was the gesture similar to what cartoon heroes do when they sweep their feet on the floor after a deed they are not entirely proud of, so to say, but which they had to make anyway. But I stopped using it for fear my post may seem sarcastic where it was not. And, ahem, what is the purpose of , if it is 'frown'? I frown at people when I'm angry. Said smiley used to express sadness for me, until, again, I've read listed value for it.

That'd been the prologue. The main purpose of this thread is as follows:

Do you think, that

A. More exact and maybe a bit longer definitions should be worked out for smilies
B. Convention agreed upon should be thence counted as 'Canon' for these fora, whatever deviations on other boards may be

That may eliminate the confusion like to one made in the thread linked above, I suppose

[Imladris]

I definitely believe that this smile 's description should be changed from frown to "sad" but I really don't believe that the whole range of our twelve smilies need to be revamped with new definitions as they seem to fit pretty well to me (though I do believe that the "eek" smiley has been used for excitement as well as for shock).

As for a convention -- I think that would be a...limiting...idea. It would be difficult to have a convention to determine the meanings of each one. Take, for instance, this smile: It could be used as happy, but I have also used it as a term of politeness in dealing with people I do not want to offend but whom I must deal with anyway (alas, one of the problems of mod duty). What gives? Happy, or the polite smile that people wear when dealing with people who are constantly breaking the rules, etc. Then there is the cool smiley : cool, or smug?

What I'm trying to say is that often some smileys have a double meaning. Hence, if you do not want the meaning of your smiley to be taken awry, make sure that the context and style of your smiley agree with the use of your smiley.

Readers of smileys should look at context and tone. If it sounds nice and they think the smiley is sarcastic, then just assume that the writer used a poor choice in smileys. On the other hand of that, if the writer was being sarcastic then he certainly should have shown it in the context and style of his writing.

It's the flip side of the coin: a smiley enhances what you are trying to say. It does not say it for you. Likewise, your writing defines the meaning of the smiley.

[radagastly]

Although there are a few exceptions, I generally try and avoid the use of smilies in my posts <--(see, no smilie here!) for the same reasons you mention above. I'm afraid they will confuse my otherwise carefully crafted (well usually carefully crafted) prose.

See. The smilie I used above could be self-depricating, embarassed or sarcastic depending on the reader. I include it because I intend the reader to decide for themselves whether my prose is careful or not and whether I'm aware of how careful it is (or not!) In this case, the confusion as to its meaning enhances the message so I include it.

Does this smilie mean laughter, or sticking your tongue out like a school-child teasing a classmate? Just wondering. <--maybe this means laughter!

[The Barrow-Wight]

Like anything, smilies should be taken in the context they are given. For instance, might mean I think I'm really cool, or it could say I'm wearing a red hat and smoking a pipe (as usual). The reader would have to check my words to decipher my meaning. Likewise, probably equates incredulity, but maybe it just indicates that I've smashed my finger in the drawer (again). I'm never sure about . It looks like its supposed to be a wink, but it looks more like I just got poked in the eye and I am happy about it. That's just wierd.

[Encaitare]

Does this smilie mean laughter, or sticking your tongue out like a school-child teasing a classmate?

I think it implies silliness. That's what I use it for, anyway -- to imply that I'm being facetious or that what I'm saying is not meant to be taken too seriously.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I find that the tongue smiley is the cheeky one as opposed to the silly one, and should be used only when you know the person you are directing it towards.

And definitely looks sad as opposed to, uh, frowny?

There are only 2 smileys I've never used, those being the 2 red ones. I am never angry or embarassed when on the Downs!