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Wastebasket
WEYS-tuh-bas-kit
Definitions
1
Objects ยท Household
Common
A container for discarding waste materials, trash, or items to be thrown away. Used to indicate disposal, deletion, or getting rid of something.
Commonly used in digital contexts to represent deletion of files or content, or metaphorically to suggest discarding ideas or relationships.
That draft was terrible, straight to the ๐๏ธ
Text message about work
Finally cleaned out my email inbox! 1000+ emails โ ๐๏ธ
Social media post
In digital culture, represents both literal waste disposal and the concept of removing unwanted digital content.
2
Digital ยท Actions
Common
A symbol representing the action of deleting digital content, files, or data. Often used as an icon for the delete function in applications.
Appears as a functional icon in many applications and interfaces to indicate deletion options.
To delete a message, tap and hold, then select the ๐๏ธ icon
App instructions
Has evolved from representing a physical object to becoming a universal symbol for digital deletion.
Cultural Context
The wastebasket emoji has become a universal symbol for deletion in digital interfaces, transcending its physical object origins.
The terminology varies significantly between American English ('trash', 'wastebasket') and British English ('rubbish', 'bin'), affecting how the emoji is described.
Beyond literal meaning, often used metaphorically to represent rejection of ideas, relationships, or unwanted aspects of life.
Regional Variations
Australia
Referred to as a 'bin' or 'rubbish bin', similar to British usage but with some unique Australian slang contexts.
United Kingdom
More commonly associated with the term 'rubbish bin' or 'bin' rather than 'trash can' or 'wastebasket'.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: More literal usage related to actual deletion or disposal. Often used in instructional contexts.
Gen_Z: Used in meme contexts about 'throwing away' problematic people, ideas, or trends. Common in TikTok and Instagram Stories.
Older: Limited usage, primarily in literal contexts about disposal or as a functional icon for deletion.
Millennials: Frequently used in workplace contexts about decluttering digital spaces or rejecting ideas in professional settings.
Common Combinations
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Burning trash; also used to represent 'dumpster fire' situations or chaotic messes.
Often used to describe disastrous situations or complete failures, especially in American English.
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Throwing something away or saying goodbye to something unwanted.
Used when discarding items or metaphorically ending relationships or situations.
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Don't delete or keep something instead of throwing it away.
Used in instructions or to indicate something should be preserved.