π
Meat on Bone
meet on bohn
Definitions
1
Food Β· Protein
Common
A piece of cooked meat attached to a bone, typically representing a drumstick, ham hock, or rib. Used to indicate meat dishes, barbecues, or protein-rich foods.
Often used when discussing meals, cooking, restaurants, or expressing carnivorous preferences.
Just fired up the grill for some π and corn on the cob!
Social media post about barbecuing
Had the most amazing ribs at that new smokehouse π
Restaurant review message
In Western contexts, often represents barbecue culture, while in Asian contexts may represent specific dishes like Korean galbi or Japanese yakitori.
2
Metaphorical Β· Desire
Uncommon
Metaphorically represents primal desires, cravings, or indulgence. Sometimes used humorously to indicate hunger for something beyond food.
Used in casual contexts, often with humorous intent. May appear in memes about cravings or desires.
Me looking at concert tickets I can't afford ππ
Social media meme about wanting something badly
This metaphorical usage draws on the primitive, caveman-like associations of meat on bone as a basic human desire.
Evolution Timeline
2010
Introduced as part of Unicode 6.0, representing generic meat on bone imagery.
Growing food emoji set to represent diverse cuisines.
2015
Usage increased with the rise of food photography and 'foodstagram' culture.
Social media food sharing becoming mainstream across platforms.
Cultural Context
The meat on bone emoji represents different cultural traditions around meat consumption, from American barbecue to Korean galbi to Caribbean jerk cooking.
Often appears in food delivery app marketing and restaurant social media to indicate meat-focused menu items.
While older generations use it literally for food, younger users sometimes employ it metaphorically to represent primal desires or cravings beyond food.
Regional Variations
Australia
Commonly associated with 'barbie' culture (barbecue). Often represents lamb chops or sausages rather than American-style ribs.
United States
Strongly associated with barbecue culture, particularly in Southern states. Often represents ribs, drumsticks, or large cuts of meat.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used literally to indicate meat dishes or barbecue events, especially when coordinating family gatherings.
Gen_Z: Sometimes used metaphorically in memes to indicate wanting something badly. Occasionally used ironically by vegetarian/vegan Gen Z.
Older: Less frequently used; when employed, almost exclusively represents literal meat dishes in simple contexts.
Millennials: Commonly used to document food experiences on social media, particularly barbecue outings or restaurant visits.
Common Combinations
ππ₯
Grilling or barbecuing meat; cooking over fire.
Universal symbol for barbecue culture across Western countries.
ππ
Various meat dishes or a meat-heavy meal.
Often used when describing a carnivorous feast or protein-rich meal.
ππ€€
Craving meat or expressing desire for a meaty dish.
Used to show appetite or hunger specifically for meat dishes.