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Hippopotamus
hip-uh-POT-uh-muhs
Definitions
1
Animal Β· Wildlife
Common
Represents a hippopotamus, a large semi-aquatic African mammal known for its massive size and distinctive barrel-shaped body.
Used to reference actual hippos, zoos, safaris, or as a playful way to indicate something large or imposing.
Just saw a π¦ at the zoo today! Absolute unit!
Social media post about zoo visit
Planning our African safari next month - hoping to see lions, elephants and π¦!
Travel planning message
Despite their vegetarian diet, hippos are considered one of Africa's most dangerous animals, often symbolizing deceptive power or hidden strength.
2
Metaphorical Β· Size
Uncommon
Used metaphorically to represent something or someone large, heavy, or imposing in size or presence.
Often used humorously or affectionately rather than as an insult.
I feel like a π¦ after that massive dinner!
Text message after overeating
While size references can be sensitive, the hippo emoji is generally seen as less charged than direct weight references.
Evolution Timeline
2018
Added to Unicode 11.0 as part of expanded animal set, quickly adopted for wildlife references.
Growing demand for more diverse animal representations in emoji sets.
2019
Gained popularity through wildlife conservation campaigns highlighting endangered status.
Increased global awareness of African wildlife conservation issues.
Cultural Context
Despite their vegetarian diet and seemingly placid appearance, hippos kill more humans in Africa annually than any other large animal.
Baby hippos like Fiona (Cincinnati Zoo) have become social media sensations, influencing the emoji's perception as cute despite the species' dangerous nature.
The name 'hippopotamus' comes from Ancient Greek meaning 'river horse,' though the emoji rarely carries horse-related connotations.
Regional Variations
United States
Commonly associated with zoo visits and wildlife documentaries, with limited metaphorical usage.
South Africa
More commonly used in authentic wildlife contexts with greater awareness of hippos' dangerous nature.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used in literal wildlife contexts or when sharing educational content with children.
Gen_Z: Occasionally used in memes about size or as a random cute animal. Sometimes referenced in TikTok wildlife content.
Older: Limited usage, mostly in family communications about zoo visits or wildlife documentaries.
Millennials: Used literally for wildlife references or zoo visits. May use in travel content about African safaris.
Common Combinations
π¦π
Hippo in water or natural habitat
Represents the semi-aquatic nature of hippos, often seen partially submerged in rivers.
π¦π¦
African wildlife or safari
Used when discussing African safaris or wildlife documentaries featuring multiple species.
π¦πΆ
Baby hippo or reference to cute hippo calves
Often references viral zoo baby hippos like Fiona from Cincinnati Zoo.