What Does the Aubergine or Eggplant Emoji Really Mean?

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The aubergine emoji, commonly referred to as the eggplant emoji, has evolved far beyond its original intent, gaining significant cultural meaning in digital communication.

Initially meant to represent the vegetable, often used in culinary or gardening contexts, its phallic shape quickly led it to become a symbol for male genitalia, especially in Western cultures. This transformation made it a popular emoji in flirtatious texts, sexting, and playful online interactions, earning it the title of “Most Notable Emoji” by the American Dialect Society in 2015.

In some cultures, like in Japan, where emojis originated, the aubergine emoji may still hold its traditional meaning, symbolizing good luck or simply referencing the vegetable itself. However, its sexual connotation is now dominant in many parts of the world.

Despite this, it has retained all of its original charm; it continues to be used in conversations related to food or gardening, showcasing its dual significance. Its distinct shape and color have also made it a favorite for abstract or humorous use among digital artists and emoji enthusiasts.

Overall, the aubergine emoji represents how digital symbols can take on multiple layers of meaning depending on context and culture.

The Literal Meaning

At its core, the aubergine emoji represents an aubergine, a vegetable known in North America as eggplant. Its vivid purple color and distinctive shape make it a recognizable symbol of culinary dishes worldwide, from Italian eggplant parmesan to Japanese nasu dengaku. However, in digital chat landscapes, its phallic shape quickly led to more playful and suggestive connotations.

Sexual Innuendo

By the early 2010s, internet culture had adopted the aubergine emoji as a symbol for the penis. This usage didn’t take long to catch on, thanks to its visual similarity and the playful nature of emoji communication. Here’s how it evolved:

• Sexting and Flirting: The emoji became a staple in sexting, often paired with other emojis like the peach, which connotes buttocks or female genitalia, enhancing the sexual context.
• Social Media Trends: Movements like “#EggplantFriday” on Instagram, where individuals would post suggestive content, further cemented its sexual connotation.
• Cultural Impact: By 2016, its widespread use as sexual innuendo led the American Dialect Society to name it the “Most Notable Emoji” of 2015, highlighting its significant cultural impact.

Beyond the Bedroom

Despite its prevalent sexual implication, the aubergine emoji hasn’t completely lost its original meaning:

• Culinary Uses: It’s still used in recipes, food blogs, and health discussions to represent actual aubergines or dishes featuring them.
• Humor and Memes: Given its dual meanings, it’s often used humorously or in memes where the context plays on either or both meanings, creating layers of interpretation.
• Artistic Expression: Artists and emoji enthusiasts sometimes use it in a more abstract or symbolic way, playing with its form and color rather than its connotations.

The Global Perspective

Interestingly, the interpretation of the aubergine emoji can vary culturally:

• In Japan, where emojis originated, it might still predominantly represent good luck or the vegetable itself, given its traditional use in dishes like nasu dengaku.
• In Western Cultures, especially among the younger demographic, its phallic symbolism is almost universally recognized.

Conclusion

The aubergine emoji’s journey from a simple vegetable to a symbol loaded with sexual innuendo exemplifies how digital communication shapes and reshapes language and symbols.

While it retains its culinary connections, in most Western contexts, sending an aubergine emoji might elicit a chuckle or a raised eyebrow, showcasing the dynamic nature of emoji use in modern communication.

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