π
Tomato
tΙ-MAY-toh or tΙ-MAH-toh
Definitions
1
Food Β· Produce
Very Common
Represents a red tomato, commonly used to reference the fruit/vegetable itself or dishes containing tomatoes like pasta sauce, pizza, or salads.
Used literally in food contexts or metaphorically to represent freshness, health, or Mediterranean cuisine.
Making homemade pasta sauce tonight π
π
Instagram food post
Fresh from the garden! π
π±
Facebook gardening group
Often appears in cooking discussions, recipe sharing, and healthy eating content.
2
Expressions Β· Reactions
Common
Used to represent embarrassment, blushing, or turning red, particularly in response to compliments or awkward situations.
Often used playfully among friends when someone is embarrassed or 'red-faced'.
When he complimented my outfit, I turned into a π
Text message
This metaphorical usage connects to the idiom 'red as a tomato' to describe blushing.
3
Slang Β· Internet Culture
Uncommon
Used to symbolize disapproval or criticism, particularly in entertainment contexts, referencing the historical practice of throwing tomatoes at poor performances.
Often used in reviews or reactions to media content.
That movie was terrible π
waste of money
Twitter film discussion
References the theatrical tradition of throwing tomatoes at bad performers, now digitized as an expression of criticism.
Evolution Timeline
2015
Introduced in Unicode 6.0 primarily as a food symbol for literal usage in cooking contexts.
Growth of food photography on Instagram and recipe sharing online.
2018
Expanded usage to represent embarrassment or blushing in casual messaging.
Evolution of emoji metaphors beyond literal meanings in digital communication.
Cultural Context
The tomato has a complex cultural history, once feared as poisonous in Europe before becoming a staple ingredient in many cuisines, particularly Mediterranean and Latin American.
The pronunciation debate (tΙ-MAY-toh vs. tΙ-MAH-toh) is famously referenced in the song 'Let's Call the Whole Thing Off,' highlighting American vs. British English differences.
Tomatoes symbolize both rustic simplicity in home cooking and sophistication in gourmet cuisine, making the emoji versatile across socioeconomic contexts.
The tomato emoji appears prominently in digital food culture, recipe sharing, and healthy eating communities across social platforms.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Commonly associated with English breakfast, sandwiches, and Mediterranean cooking influences.
United States
Often associated with summer gardens, farmers' markets, and homemade cooking. Frequently used in food contexts.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used literally in food contexts, garden updates, and recipe sharing on Facebook and Pinterest.
Gen_Z: Often used metaphorically for embarrassment or in food aesthetics on TikTok and Instagram. Appears in plant parent and cooking content.
Older: Used sparingly, mostly in literal contexts about gardening, cooking, or farmers' markets in messaging with family.
Millennials: Commonly used in recipe sharing, meal prep posts, and gardening achievements. Popular in healthy eating and cooking communities.
Common Combinations
π
π
Italian food, pasta with tomato sauce
Represents Italian cuisine or homemade pasta dishes, commonly used in food posts.
π
π₯¬
Salad or fresh produce
Symbolizes healthy eating, fresh vegetables, or garden harvests.
π
π±
Growing tomatoes or gardening
Used by home gardeners to show their tomato plants or harvests.
ππ
Pizza or pizza ingredients
References Italian food, pizza making, or fresh pizza toppings.