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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Emoticons” is an epic card of the Memes World series 75, number 22421 of the collection, and the 8th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Emoticons” meme mean?
This sideways face humanizes digital exchange by injecting humor or sadness into plain text. It clarifies the intent of a message, preventing jokes from being taken literally or complaints from being missed. It serves as a universal emotional shortcut in internet culture.
Where does the “Emoticons” meme come from?
On September 19, 1982, Scott E. Fahlman, a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, posted a proposal on an internal bulletin board. Facing recurring confusion between jokes and serious remarks, he suggested using `:-)` to identify humorous messages. The lateral reading associates colons with eyes, a hyphen with a nose, and a parenthesis with a smile. He also proposed `:-(` for sadness. This initiative aimed to structure early asynchronous communication. Although similar signs may have existed earlier, Fahlman remains the first person documented with a preserved, dated record of this specific usage.
- 1982Scott Fahlman officially proposes `:-)` and `:-(` on the Carnegie Mellon university bulletin board.
How to use the “Emoticons” meme
- Use `:-)` to soften a constructive critique sent to a remote colleague.
- Add `:-(` to your reply to show polite disagreement without aggression.
- Employ these symbols in your early professional emails to signal a friendly approach.
Also searched as
- textual smiley
- kaomoji
- facial symbol
- :-)
- :(
- emoticons origin
- who invented :-)
- history of emoticons
- meaning of :(
- first historical emoji
The “Emoticons” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 22421 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | Memes World series 75 |
| Fame | 79/100 · #8 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Emoticons” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Emoticons comes out of the Memes World series 75 as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Emoticons”
More cards of the Memes World series 75
Frequently asked questions
What are emoticons?
They are combinations of typographic characters imitating facial expressions. They allow adding an emotional dimension to raw text.
Who invented smileys?
Scott E. Fahlman is credited with the first documented use in 1982. He sought to distinguish sarcasm from seriousness online.
Origin of the sign :-)?
Created on September 19, 1982, at Carnegie Mellon University, this lateral visual symbol initially served as a tag for humorous messages.
How do I get the Emoticons meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Emoticons” is an epic card of the Memes World series 75. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Emoticons card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: www.mdr.de · medien360g · medienwissenEmojis, Memes, Avatare: Grafiken in der digitalen Kommunikation · Happy 25th, Emoticon - Carnegie Mellon University | CMU · Internet meme - Wikipedia · checked on October 18, 2026.
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Want Emoticons in your collection?
Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.