π₯
Collision
kuh-LIH-zhun
Definitions
1
Action Β· Impact
Very Common
Represents a collision, explosion, or impact with radiating lines suggesting force and energy. Used to show crashes, conflicts, or dramatic moments.
Often used for emphasis in action contexts or to highlight conflicts, surprises, or dramatic revelations.
Just had my first driving lesson ππ₯ It didn't go well...
Social media post
When two great minds meet π§ π₯π§ amazing ideas happen!
Professional messaging
Derived from comic book visual language where similar symbols represent impacts or explosions.
2
Expression Β· Emphasis
Common
Used metaphorically to emphasize dramatic moments, surprises, or mind-blowing revelations. Indicates something impactful or attention-grabbing.
Popular in casual communication to highlight surprising information or dramatic statements.
Did you hear the news? They're getting married π₯
Text message
Mind = blown π€―π₯ after watching that plot twist!
Social media comment
Evolved from literal collision meaning to represent metaphorical impact in digital communication.
Evolution Timeline
2010
First appeared in Unicode 6.0 as part of early emoji standardization
Growing need for action and impact symbols in digital communication
2015
Usage expanded from literal collisions to metaphorical impact in online conversations
Evolution of emoji language to express abstract concepts
2018
Became popular in gaming communities to represent in-game explosions and critical hits
Rise of gaming culture and streaming platforms
Cultural Context
The collision emoji translates comic book onomatopoeia (BOOM, POW, BAM) into visual form, bridging print and digital expression styles.
Popular in gaming communities to represent critical hits, explosions, or game-changing moments across platforms and game genres.
Often used to emphasize conflict in political discussions or debates, visually representing clashing viewpoints or dramatic revelations.
While understood across age groups, younger users more frequently use it metaphorically rather than literally.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Often used more ironically or sarcastically than in other regions
United States
Often used with superhero references and comic book expressions like 'POW!' or 'BAM!'
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used more literally to represent actual collisions or impacts, less for metaphorical emphasis.
Gen_Z: Used extensively in gaming contexts, memes, and for dramatic emphasis. Often paired with ironic statements or exaggerations.
Older: Less frequently used; when employed, typically represents actual explosions or accidents rather than emphasis.
Millennials: Commonly used in work chat apps to highlight important information or breakthroughs in projects.
Common Combinations
π₯π
Something hilariously explosive or impactful that causes laughter
Used to indicate something was both dramatic and funny, popular in reaction contexts
π€―π₯
Mind-blowing revelation or information that's shocking
Represents cognitive impact of surprising information, popular across age groups
π₯π₯
Explosive impact followed by fire; figuratively means something extremely impressive
Popular in gaming and sports contexts to show spectacular performance
ππ₯
Punch with impact; used for emphasis in conflict or achievement contexts
Used in sports, gaming, and motivational contexts to show force or determination