πΆβπ«οΈ
Face in Clouds
feys in kloudz
Definitions
1
Emotional Β· Confusion
Common
Represents feeling mentally foggy, confused, or disoriented, as if one's thoughts are clouded or unclear. Often used to express being overwhelmed or unable to think clearly.
Commonly used in casual conversations to indicate mental confusion or feeling lost in thought.
Trying to understand crypto has me πΆβπ«οΈ
Text message
Monday morning meetings πΆβπ«οΈ
Work chat
Often associated with being overwhelmed by information or situations, particularly in fast-paced digital environments.
2
Slang Β· Intoxication
Common
Indicates being high, stoned, or under the influence of substances. The cloudy face suggests an altered mental state or being 'in a fog.'
More common among younger users. Often used humorously among friends rather than in professional contexts.
After those edibles I'm completely πΆβπ«οΈ
Private message
Friday night vibes πΆβπ«οΈ
Social media caption
Emerged with changing attitudes toward recreational substances in Western cultures. Usage increased with legalization movements.
3
Activity Β· Vaping
Emerging
References the act of vaping or smoking, with the clouds representing vapor or smoke. Used to indicate the activity without explicitly stating it.
Often used as a subtle reference to vaping in contexts where explicit mentions might be filtered or monitored.
Taking a break πΆβπ«οΈ
Social media story
Gained popularity with the rise of vaping culture, particularly among younger users on platforms with content restrictions.
Evolution Timeline
2021
Introduction in Unicode 13.1 as part of the expansion of face emojis with additional elements.
Growing need for emojis expressing complex emotional and mental states.
2022
Adoption by Gen Z as shorthand for being high, particularly in contexts where explicit drug references might be monitored.
Platform content moderation and the need for coded language around substance use.
2023
Expanded meaning to include general mental fog and confusion, particularly related to information overload.
Growing discourse around digital overwhelm and mental health awareness.
Cultural Context
Gen Z adopted this emoji quickly as coded language for being high, creating a generational gap in understanding its full implications.
The emoji gained popularity as content moderation increased on social platforms, offering a way to discuss certain activities without triggering filters.
Reflects growing cultural acknowledgment of mental health challenges like brain fog, ADHD symptoms, and information overload in digital spaces.
Functions as digital slang that evolves faster than platform moderation, allowing communities to communicate about restricted topics.
Regional Variations
Australia
Often used in reference to being 'cooked' (Australian slang for being very high or mentally exhausted).
United Kingdom
More commonly used to express general confusion or being overwhelmed rather than substance use.
United States
Commonly used to reference marijuana use, reflecting the growing legalization movement across many states.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Less frequent usage, primarily to indicate confusion or feeling lost in digital contexts.
Gen_Z: Primary users who popularized its association with being high. Often used ironically or as coded language on monitored platforms.
Older: Rarely used; when employed, typically interpreted literally as being confused or disoriented.
Millennials: Typically use it to express feeling overwhelmed by work or information overload rather than substance use.
Common Combinations
πΆβπ«οΈπ
Lost in thought or having unclear thinking
Represents mental fog or confusion when trying to process complex information.
πΆβπ«οΈπ§
Brain fog or mental cloudiness
Often used when discussing mental health, ADHD, or cognitive difficulties.
πΆβπ«οΈπΏ
Being high on marijuana
Coded reference to cannabis use, particularly in regions with legalization.
πΆβπ«οΈπ΅βπ«
Extreme confusion or disorientation
Represents being completely lost or overwhelmed by information or circumstances.