🫡Corpmoji
← Back to the dictionary

Mocking emojis in the workplace

5 emojis carry the “Mocking” tag. Here is what each one means to Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z — and how risky it is to send at work.

Click to copy
Risk 2/10iScores 1–10 evaluate the likelihood of HR friction or legal liability based on employment litigation trends and sociolinguistic drift. Click here to read the full methodology.

Face with Monocle

Boomer / Gen X
Examining something closely; feeling sophisticated.
Millennial
Investigating internet drama or feigning intellectualism.
Gen Z
'Let me look closer at this nonsense'; mocking someone's logic.
MockingInvestigative
Click to copy
Risk 4/10iScores 1–10 evaluate the likelihood of HR friction or legal liability based on employment litigation trends and sociolinguistic drift. Click here to read the full methodology.

Nerd Face

Boomer / Gen X
Representing a smart person, studying, or intelligence.
Millennial
Self-deprecating humor about being overly passionate about a hobby.
Gen Z
'Well actually'; used to mock people who correct others or act superior.
MockingInsulting
Click to copy
Risk 4/10iScores 1–10 evaluate the likelihood of HR friction or legal liability based on employment litigation trends and sociolinguistic drift. Click here to read the full methodology.

Robot

Boomer / Gen X
Technology, artificial intelligence, or machinery.
Millennial
Feeling emotionless, robotic, or burnt out from repetitive work.
Gen Z
Calling someone an NPC (Non-Playable Character) or lacking critical thought.
InsultingMocking
Click to copy
Risk 4/10iScores 1–10 evaluate the likelihood of HR friction or legal liability based on employment litigation trends and sociolinguistic drift. Click here to read the full methodology.

Backhand Index Pointing Up

Boomer / Gen X
Pointing up, looking at the above text, or number one.
Millennial
'Read the message above' or agreeing with a previous text.
Gen Z
'Well actually'; mocking someone who corrects others.
MockingCombinatorial
Click to copy
Risk 4/10iScores 1–10 evaluate the likelihood of HR friction or legal liability based on employment litigation trends and sociolinguistic drift. Click here to read the full methodology.

Index Pointing Up

Boomer / Gen X
'Hold on a minute,' raising a point, or number one.
Millennial
'Just one second' or asking to speak.
Gen Z
Mocking intellectual superiority when combined with nerd face.
MockingCombinatorial