๐โ๐ฉ
Lime
laษชm
Definitions
1
Food ยท Fruit
common
A small, round, green citrus fruit with tart, acidic flavor. Used to represent the literal fruit, cooking ingredients, cocktails, or freshness.
Often used in food contexts, recipes, drink discussions, or to symbolize something fresh or zesty.
Making fish tacos tonight with fresh ๐โ๐ฉ and cilantro!
Recipe sharing on Instagram
Nothing beats a margarita with fresh-squeezed ๐โ๐ฉ juice on a hot day!
Social media post about drinks
Associated with Mexican cuisine, cocktails (especially margaritas), and tropical settings.
2
Slang ยท Metaphor
uncommon
Used metaphorically to represent something fresh, zesty, or with a surprising kick. Can indicate something that adds flavor or excitement to a situation.
Less common than literal usage; appears in casual conversation to express adding interest or excitement.
His personality adds a bit of ๐โ๐ฉ to our otherwise boring meetings.
Workplace chat
In some contexts, can symbolize a refreshing change or something that adds zing to an otherwise bland situation.
Evolution Timeline
2022
Introduction of the lime emoji as a ZWJ sequence combining lemon and green square.
User requests for more specific fruit representation in digital communication.
Cultural Context
Essential ingredient in many global cuisines, particularly Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, and Caribbean, where it's used to add acidity and brightness to dishes.
Historically used by British sailors (nicknamed 'limeys') to prevent scurvy during long sea voyages, leading to the nickname for British people.
In cocktail culture, the lime represents freshness and is essential in classics like margaritas, mojitos, and gin and tonics.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Often associated with gin and tonics, desserts, and Caribbean-influenced cuisine.
United States
Commonly associated with margaritas, Mexican cuisine, and summer cocktails.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used practically in recipe contexts and occasionally in drink references on Facebook and messaging apps.
Gen_Z: Used in food posts, cocktail content, and recipe sharing. Often appears in TikTok cooking videos and Instagram food stories.
Older: Limited usage, primarily in practical contexts like grocery lists or simple food references in text messages.
Millennials: Frequently used in cocktail references, home cooking posts, and recipe sharing on Instagram and Pinterest.
Common Combinations
๐โ๐ฉ๐น
Cocktails featuring lime, especially tropical or tequila-based drinks.
Common in discussions about summer drinks, beach vacations, or parties.
๐โ๐ฉ๐ฎ
Mexican food or Tex-Mex cuisine with lime garnish.
Used when discussing tacos, Mexican dishes, or food with lime as a flavor enhancer.
๐โ๐ฉ๐ฅฅ
Tropical flavors, especially in food or drinks.
Associated with Caribbean cuisine, tropical cocktails, or vacation settings.