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Combinatorial emojis in the workplace

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

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Risk 3/10iScores 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.

Raised Hand

Boomer / Gen X
Stop, halt, or volunteering.
Millennial
Setting a boundary; 'talk to the hand.'
Gen Z
'Stop right there'; used with a neutral face for judgment.
JudgmentalCombinatorial
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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
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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
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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.

Raised Fist

Boomer / Gen X
Solidarity, strength, or knocking on a door.
Millennial
Black Lives Matter, social justice, or general solidarity.
Gen Z
Catching oneself before saying something stupid.
PoliticalCombinatorial
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Risk 3/10iScores 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.

Hole

Boomer / Gen X
A hole in the ground, construction.
Millennial
Falling into a pit of despair or depression.
Gen Z
Used to disappear from drama or pretend to be blind to red flags.
AvoidantCombinatorial