π¦
Shrimp
ΚrΙͺmp
Definitions
1
Food Β· Seafood
Common
Represents a shrimp or prawn, a small aquatic crustacean with a curved body, commonly consumed as seafood. Used to reference seafood dishes, cooking, or marine life.
Often used when discussing food, recipes, restaurants, or fishing activities. In British English, 'prawn' is more commonly used than 'shrimp'.
Made the best garlic π¦ pasta last night!
Social media food post
Going fishing for π¦ this weekend if anyone wants to join!
Group chat message
Shrimp is a globally popular seafood ingredient featured in numerous cuisines, from Mediterranean paella to Japanese tempura and American shrimp cocktail.
2
Slang Β· Metaphorical
Uncommon
Metaphorically represents something or someone small, weak, or insignificant. Sometimes used to describe feeling small or overwhelmed in certain situations.
Can be perceived as insulting when directed at others. More commonly used in self-deprecating contexts.
Felt like a total π¦ at that networking event with all those executives.
Personal message
The metaphorical use stems from shrimps' small size and perceived vulnerability, similar to calling someone a 'small fish in a big pond.'
Evolution Timeline
2016
Added to Unicode 9.0 as part of an expansion of food emojis, particularly seafood options.
Growing demand for diverse food representation in emoji sets.
2018
Gained popularity in recipe sharing and food photography contexts on Instagram and Pinterest.
Rise of foodie culture and visual recipe sharing on social platforms.
Cultural Context
The shrimp/prawn terminology divide between American and British English is a notable example of regional language variation, with Americans preferring 'shrimp' and Brits using 'prawn'.
Shrimp/prawns feature prominently in cuisines worldwide: tempura in Japan, gambas al ajillo in Spain, prawn curry in India, shrimp gumbo in Louisiana, and barbecued prawns in Australia.
The phrase 'throw another shrimp on the barbie' from 1980s Australian tourism ads became a cultural stereotype that Australians themselves find inaccurate, as they say 'prawn' not 'shrimp'.
The emoji is sometimes used in discussions about shellfish allergies, which are among the most common food allergies globally.
Regional Variations
Australia
Australians predominantly use 'prawn' rather than 'shrimp', and the emoji is strongly associated with barbecue culture.
United Kingdom
In British English, this emoji typically represents what is called a 'prawn' rather than 'shrimp', especially for larger species used in cooking.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Typically used literally for food references, recipes, and restaurant recommendations on Facebook and in messaging.
Gen_Z: Often used in food posts and recipe videos on TikTok and Instagram. Sometimes used metaphorically to mean feeling small or insignificant.
Older: Less frequently used, but when employed, almost exclusively represents actual shrimp/prawns in food contexts.
Millennials: Commonly used when sharing restaurant experiences, home cooking achievements, and in food delivery app reviews.
Common Combinations
π¦π
Shrimp or prawn pasta dish, often with garlic or creamy sauce.
A popular Mediterranean-inspired dish found in many Western restaurants.
π¦π
Shrimp with rice, such as paella, risotto, or various Asian rice dishes.
Represents dishes from multiple cuisines including Spanish, Italian, and various Asian traditions.
π¦πΉ
Shrimp cocktail appetizer or seafood with drinks.
Classic appetizer in American and British dining, popular at celebrations and restaurants.
π¦π£
Shrimp fishing or using shrimp as bait.
Used in fishing communities to discuss catching shrimp or using them as bait for larger fish.