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