Have you seen the 'chair emoji' somewhere on TikTok or another social media platform and don't understand what the context of the emoji is in the rest of the discussion? The 'chair emoji' doesn't mean a literal chair anymore, but it's instead used with an alternate meaning. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The meaning of the 'chair emoji' on TikTok is used as an alternative icon to indicate laughing.
The 'chair emoji' is used in the same way as a user might use a laughing emoji, or employ the term “lol” on something that has gotten a laugh out of them.
The use of the 'chair emoji' on TikTok is one way for users to save time when they are typing, or to add a keyword to direct appropriate users who search for it.
The meaning of an emoji isn't always obvious, especially not when it has evolved another use from what it has originally meant.
Most people know that icons like eggplants can have alternative meanings and the same is true for the 'chair emoji' that appears on TikTok and some other IM and social media platforms.
The right way to use the 'chair emoji' in conversation is to use it in place of (or together with) the term “lol” or other appropriate icons and tags.
If you don't know what the 'chair emoji' means in the context of modern TikTok conversation, then you could be confused at any point where the chair emoji appears next to a humorous post.
Often, the 'chair emoji' is used to emphasize a point, or to point out humor.
Example Usage
“Up until last week, my great grandmother still thought that MILF was a type of ice cream. I explained it to her and she was horrified, and I hope she doesn't find out what the word vanilla stands for these days. chair emoji”
“I can't believe it's not butter. But then again, I also can't believe it's Monday. chair emoji”
“My grandfather used to yell at the toaster because he thought that there must be demons inside it. Rest his soul, he was crazy but we sure loved him a lot. chair emoji”
Origin
The alternate meaning and popular humorous use of the 'chair emoji' is very modern, and could only have surfaced some time after the year 2019 – since the emoji is reported to only have been added to TikTok in the year 2019.
Since the inception of the chair emoji, it has only been used in its literal sense up until recently when people on TikTok began to use the term as a general indication of humor or laughing at something.
The new meaning of the chair emoji has become especially popular since 2021, when some media outlets picked up on the use of the term and reported on its use for anyone who went to TikTok and got confused by references in popular posts.
The emoji gets used as a way to indicate laughing now, and this is partially said to be thanks to a running joke started by a user on YouTube. British user KSI is credited in some articles with the invention of this term, who posted the video in 2021.
The chair emoji in its modern use has soon spread to other social media platforms, and become more popular as a general tag to indicate laughter much as terms like 'lol' and 'lmfao'.
Phrases Similar to Chair Emoji
- Lol
- Lmfao
Phrases Opposite to Chair Emoji
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- Chair emoji (with humorous context, such as lol)
Ways People May Say Chair Emoji Incorrectly
There are ways to use the 'chair emoji' in the wrong way, usually by misunderstanding the context of the emoji in the rest of the discussion.
If you misunderstand the chair emoji, then you are probably not aware of its modern use to indicate jokes, laughter or a humorous situation.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Chair Emoji
The chair emoji can be used anywhere laughter or humor is apparent, and can even be used to indicate humorous irony in a tag, comment or post.