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Paperclip
PEY-per-klip
Definitions
1
Office ยท Stationery
Common
A metal or plastic fastener used to hold papers together without damaging them. In digital communication, represents office work, organization, or attachment.
Often used in professional contexts to indicate documents, email attachments, or organizing information.
Just sent you the report ๐ Check your email!
Work messaging
Need to get organized today ๐๐๐
Productivity post
While primarily representing the physical object, also carries associations with office culture and digital file sharing.
2
Technology ยท Digital
Common
Represents file attachments in digital communication, particularly email attachments or document sharing.
Often used to indicate that something has been or will be attached to a message.
I'll send you the photos from the event ๐
Messaging apps
Derived from the paperclip icon used in email clients to represent attachments.
3
Pop Culture ยท Reference
Uncommon
Sometimes used as a reference to Clippy, Microsoft Office's paperclip assistant from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Used humorously to evoke nostalgia or make jokes about unwanted help.
It looks like you're writing an email ๐ Would you like help with that?
Internet humor
Clippy has become an internet meme representing outdated technology and annoying assistance.
Evolution Timeline
2010
Introduced as part of Unicode 6.0, primarily representing the physical office supply.
Growing need for office and work-related emoji.
2015
Usage shifted toward representing digital attachments as email became increasingly mobile.
Increased mobile email usage and document sharing.
Cultural Context
The paperclip emoji bridges physical and digital worlds, representing both the actual object and the concept of digital file attachment.
For many users, the paperclip evokes memories of Clippy, Microsoft's animated assistant, creating a nostalgic association with early 2000s computing.
Regional Variations
United States
Most commonly associated with office work and email attachments.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used in professional contexts to indicate attachments or document organization.
Gen_Z: Occasionally used ironically in reference to Clippy memes or when sharing school assignments.
Older: Used literally to represent the physical object or to indicate email attachments.
Millennials: Used practically for work communication and file sharing, with nostalgic references to Clippy.
Common Combinations
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Attached document or organized papers.
Used in work contexts to indicate document sharing or organization.
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Office work or business documents.
Represents professional organization or business paperwork.
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Links or attachments to shared resources.
Used to indicate connected information or resources being shared.