Redheads, superheroes, curly hair, and a pirate flag are just a few of the more exciting emoji that were, as of the week, officially approved for release as part of Unicode 11.0. This means that from here on out, various devices and platforms, from Twitter and Facebook to Samsung's Galaxy S9, can include the 62 new icons (157, if you count all the gender and skin tone variations) in their software releases. (If Apple sticks with its standard release schedule, you can expect the latest emoji to hit your iPhone's keyboard sometime this fall.)
As with every emoji release, there's an element of curiosity: How did Unicode make its decisions, some of which (really, a parrot emoji?) seem random in the larger scheme of essential messaging iconography?
In fact, there is a method to the emoji madness: Behind every successful candidate is a lengthy proposal advocating for its representation on keyboards around the world. Unicode's six-part submission form requires applicants to explain how frequently their emoji will be used, what makes it distinct, and the multiple ways it can be used.
All of these proposals are publicly available, and each is an interesting case study in an object's full history — which most submissions include — as well as the passion people feel about getting certain items the recognition and fame that comes with emoji inclusion.
Ahead, we highlight six of the funny, interesting, and, at times, poetic arguments made for this year's new emoji. You just missed the deadline to submit an idea for 2019, but if you want to put your emoji in the ring for 2020, head here to see the submission form.
Note: The emoji designs included here are all renderings from Emojipedia, and are not the final designs you will see on your iPhone come fall.
The Bagel
You'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't believe the bagel is a breakfast staple worthy of emoji representation. However, this proposal, which waxes poetic about the "thick ring of dough" with "crisp, shiny golden exterior and chewy inside" is a love letter to the breakfast item:
"A bagel can be described as a 'savory, ring-shaped bread,' but a mere clinical description would detract from the bagel’s cultural significance. The bagel is a globally recognized comfort food and snack, with a multicultural backstory. It would not be bending the truth to say the bagel is a pop culture icon."
The proposal delves further into that cultural significance, adding, "The bagel’s winding history points to its unique place in the hearts of American Jews. Eating bagels is a way to honor one’s heritage while still feeling fully assimilated into secular life. It is in this symbol that Americans find home, rather than more overtly religious signs such as the Star of David or the Torah scrolls. This particular brand of Judaism pervades popular culture, from the books of Philip Roth to the comedy of Jerry Seinfeld to the songs of Leonard Cohen."
Designed by Emojipedia.
The Flying Disc
Most of us would simply refer to this as a frisbee. But the author of the icon's proposal was not getting all high-and-mighty by calling it a flying disc rather than the more colloquial term — he was abiding by copyright law. As the submission notes, "The word 'Frisbee' is a trademark of the Wham-O corporation, but the large majority of flying discs are not produced or associated with Wham-O."
Come on, Wham-O. Just let us call it a frisbee emoji.
Designed by Emojipedia.
The Leg
The leg and foot should have existed as emoji long before now, but at least 2018 is finally giving us a full set of limbs to text with. In addition to referencing a number of leg-involved idiomatic phrases ("break a leg"; "get a leg up"; "a leg to stand on"), the proposal for the limb went the grandiose route and included a quote from the 19th century French poet Charles Baudelaire:
"Dancing is poetry with arms and legs.”
Remember that every time you use this stanky leg emoji in your messages.
Designed by Emojipedia.
The Broom
Sometimes, you'll find emoji proposals with common proverbs — an effort to prove how entrenched they are in the cultural lexicon. Other times, as in Alex Marx and Jennifer 8. Lee's request for icons representing household chores, Rolling Stone lyrics were included as persuasion:
“I mean, give me a guitar, give me a piano, give me a broom and string, I wouldn't get bored anywhere.”
Even Unicode can't deny the enduring power of Keith Richards.
Designed by Emojipedia.
The Teddy Bear
Cuddly, adorable, and a childhood staple: Yes, the teddy bear deserves an emoji. But each emoji submission must explain how it will differ from the ones currently available, which is why Ariel Jacobs found it important to clarify the following:
"It should be noted that the bear face emoji is now frequently used in place of the teddy bear. The teddy bear emoji would stand in contrast to the bear emoji in that teddy bears are associated with being cute, while bears are often thought of as scary."
While the bear emoji isn't exactly scary (are any emoji?) the point is a fair one. Bring on the plush toys.
Designed by Emojipedia.
The Cupcake
Sex and the City might have turned the cupcake into an icon of a generation, but in a moving proposal from Jessie Wade, the cupcake-lover argues it is not a passing fad:
"Since the early 2000’s, cupcakes have been climbing in popularity and did not end up being 'just a trend' like so many thought they would as the gourmet bakeries who specified in cupcakes — popped up all over the place."
If you're looking for a complete history of the cupcake, look no further than Wade's proposal, which dates the sweet treat all the way back to the 1800s, when "cupcakes were originally made in pottery cups or cup molds, giving them their simplistic name." Now you know.
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