Understanding Emoji Meanings

Cherries, apples, lemons? It turns out that these seemingly harmless emojis your child is using might carry additional meanings that could surprise parents.

Aneeca Younas from FindMyKids, a parental control and GPS tracking app, noted, “Fruit emojis can have various interpretations, some more suggestive than others.” She emphasized that in our fast-paced world, emojis allow for quick and efficient communication without needing longer texts.

Commonly, the banana and eggplant emojis are used to represent male anatomy, while the peach emoji typically refers to the buttocks or female anatomy. Yet, the meanings extend to many other fruits that young people have repurposed.

For instance, the cherry emoji, which appears innocent, can imply something like losing one’s virginity or be linked to a test. Grapes are often used to symbolize male genitalia, but they can also refer to alcohol consumption. A sigh of relief, perhaps?

Strawberry emojis suggest a flirty or romantic vibe, while pineapples might hint at a “complex” relationship or swinging lifestyle. Some cruise workers might even recognize this code when they meet guests at their cabins.

Lemons typically represent sour or negative feelings, whereas ripe tomatoes can signal disapproval, just like throwing them at someone during a protest.

Interestingly, the apple emoji has been co-opted by certain groups to refer to “incels,” a term that combines “involuntary” and “celibate.” This usage reflects how emoji meanings can evolve and shift dramatically over time.

Younas remarked, “Just when you think your child understands the emojis you’re using, their meanings change, making it like a puzzle to decipher.” New emojis keep appearing, and the hidden meanings behind these fruit symbols are continually evolving.