๐
Cherries
CHEH-reez
Definitions
1
Food ยท Fruit
Very Common
Depicts a pair of bright red cherries with a green stem, representing the sweet edible fruit or used in food-related contexts.
Commonly used when discussing food, summer fruits, or healthy eating.
Just made a delicious cherry pie with fresh ๐ from the farmer's market!
Instagram food post
Summer fruit shopping list: ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ฅญ
Personal message
One of the most recognizable fruit emojis, often appearing in food lists, recipe sharing, and summer content.
2
Slang ยท Suggestive
Common
Used as a visual innuendo for female body parts, virginity, or sexual content, particularly in flirtatious messaging or social media.
Consider context carefully as this usage can be inappropriate in professional settings.
Looking for someone to pop my ๐
Dating app profile
Just posted some spicy content on my page ๐
Social media teaser
The suggestive meaning emerged through visual similarity and has become widespread in youth culture and dating apps.
3
Gaming ยท Luck
Uncommon
Represents luck, winning, or jackpots in gambling contexts, referencing the cherry symbols on slot machines.
Used when discussing gambling, games of chance, or fortunate outcomes.
Hit the ๐๐๐ at the casino last night! Small win but still exciting!
Social media post about gambling
Cherries have been traditional symbols on slot machines since the early 20th century, representing smaller wins.
Evolution Timeline
2010
Added to Unicode 6.0 as one of the original food emojis, primarily representing the fruit.
Initial emoji standardization focusing on common objects and foods.
2015
Began to gain suggestive meaning in youth culture as euphemism for virginity or sexual content.
Rise of emoji innuendo in dating apps and social media.
2018
Became widely recognized as having dual meaning (fruit/innuendo) across mainstream platforms.
Increased emoji literacy and normalization of suggestive emoji codes.
2020
Usage spiked on TikTok and Instagram as part of suggestive content labeling.
Content creators using fruit emojis to bypass explicit content filters.
Cultural Context
The phrase 'cherry on top' (meaning perfect finishing touch) has influenced emoji usage, with ๐ sometimes representing a bonus or perfect addition.
The emoji's dual meaning (innocent fruit vs. suggestive symbol) reflects broader patterns of coded language in digital communication, especially among younger users.
Older users typically employ the emoji exclusively for its literal fruit meaning, while younger users are more likely to use it suggestively.
Content creators use fruit emojis like ๐ to circumvent content filters on platforms that restrict explicit language but don't flag emoji usage.
Cherry symbols have appeared on slot machines since the early 1900s, influencing the emoji's association with gambling and luck.
Regional Variations
Australia
Commonly used in summer contexts (December-February) and in gambling references.
United Kingdom
Similar to US usage but with slightly more emphasis on the suggestive meaning in youth communication.
United States
Strong association with both food contexts and sexual innuendo, particularly among younger users.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used for literal fruit meaning and occasionally in gambling references. Less likely to recognize suggestive connotations.
Gen_Z: Heavily used for suggestive content and innuendo, particularly on TikTok and Snapchat. Often used in contexts relating to virginity or sexual content.
Older: Almost exclusively used to represent actual cherries in food contexts or recipes. Rarely used with awareness of secondary meanings.
Millennials: Used both literally (food, recipes) and suggestively depending on context. Common in dating apps and food photography.
Common Combinations
๐โค๏ธ
Expressing love for cherries or using cherries in romantic/sexual context.
Common in food appreciation posts or flirtatious messaging depending on context.
๐๐ฐ
Cherry dessert, cake, or sweet treat featuring cherries.
Used in baking contexts, recipe sharing, or food photography.
๐๐
Suggestive content, flirtation, or sexual innuendo.
Commonly used in dating apps or suggestive social media content.
๐๐ฐ
Gambling, slot machines, or hitting a cherry jackpot.
References casino gambling and slot machine symbols.
๐๐ฆ
Cherry-topped ice cream or summer treats.
Popular in summer food posts and dessert sharing.
Related Emojis
๐
Similar fruit category, often used together in fruit lists or summer content.
๐
Both fruits with suggestive secondary meanings in digital communication.
๐ฐ
Connected through slot machine symbolism where cherries represent wins.
๐ฅง
Culinary connection through cherry pies and desserts.
๐
Both share bright red color and sometimes appear together in flirtatious contexts.