UwU: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''uwu''}} | {{DISPLAYTITLE:''uwu''}} | ||
[[File:Stylized uwu emoticon.svg|thumb|Stylized ''uwu'' emoticon as a [[blushing]] face|class=skin-invert-image]] | [[File:Stylized uwu emoticon.svg|thumb|Stylized ''uwu'' emoticon as a [[blushing]] face|class=skin-invert-image]] | ||
'''''uwu''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|uː|w|uː|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-uwu.wav}}), also stylized '''''UwU''''', is an [[emoticon]] representing a [[cuteness|cute]] face. The ''u'' characters represent closed eyes, while the ''w'' represents a cat mouth. | '''''uwu''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|uː|w|uː|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-uwu.wav}}), also stylized '''''UwU''''', is an [[emoticon]] representing a [[cuteness|cute]] face. The ''u'' characters represent closed eyes, while the ''w'' represents a cat mouth. It is used to express various warm, happy, or affectionate feelings. | ||
== Usage and variants == | == Usage and variants == | ||
The emoticon ''uwu'' is often used to denote cuteness (''[[kawaii]]''), happiness, or tenderness. | The emoticon ''uwu'' is often used to denote cuteness (''[[kawaii]]''), happiness, or tenderness. Excessive usage of the emoticon can also have the intended effect of annoying its recipient. It is popularly used in the [[furry fandom]]. | ||
=== OwO === | === OwO === | ||
The emoticon also has a more surprised and sometimes allusive variant, ''owo'' (also stylized ''OwO''; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|w|oʊ|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-owo.wav}}; also associated with the furry fandom) that may also denote cuteness, as well as curiosity and perplexion (often the response "what's this?"). | The emoticon also has a more surprised and sometimes allusive variant, ''owo'' (also stylized ''OwO''; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|w|oʊ|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-owo.wav}}; also associated with the furry fandom) that may also denote cuteness, as well as curiosity and perplexion (often the response "what's this?"). ''owo'' gained popularity in 2018; as opposed to ''uwu'', the ''o'' characters represent open eyes. It is also sometimes used for [[trolling]]. | ||
The OwO variant was found inscribed on the used bullet in the investigation of the [[assassination of Charlie Kirk]] on September 10, 2025. | |||
=== TwT === | === TwT === | ||
Another variant, ''TwT'', is often used to symbolize crying, with each T representing a closed eye with tears streaming down. | Another variant, ''TwT'', is often used to symbolize crying, with each T representing a closed eye with tears streaming down. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
The emoticon ''uwu'' is known to date back as far as April 11, 2000, when it was used by [[Furry Fandom|furry]] artist Ghislain Deslierres in a post on the furry art site VCL (Vixen Controlled Library). | The emoticon ''uwu'' is known to date back as far as April 11, 2000, when it was used by [[Furry Fandom|furry]] artist Ghislain Deslierres in a post on the furry art site VCL (Vixen Controlled Library). A 2005 [[anime]] [[fanfiction]] contained another early use of the word. The origin of the term is unknown, with many people believing it to originate in [[chat room|Internet chat rooms]]. By 2014, the emoticon had spread across the Internet into [[Tumblr]], becoming an [[Subculture|Internet subculture]]. | ||
The word ''uwu'' is included in the [[Royal Spanish Academy]]'s word observatory,{{Efn|The word observatory is a website owned by the Royal Spanish Academy featuring words that are not included in the ''[[Diccionario de la lengua española]]'' and that have not been considered for inclusion, but for which people have wanted to know the meaning, including technical terms, neologisms, and foreign words.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morales|first=Manuel|date=2020-10-23|title=La RAE presenta su nueva web, con un 'Observatorio' de palabras que no están en el 'Diccionario'|url=https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-10-23/la-rae-presenta-su-nueva-web-con-un-observatorio-de-palabras-que-no-estan-en-el-diccionario.html|access-date=June 4, 2021|work=[[El País]]|language=es|archive-date=2021-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705171521/https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-10-23/la-rae-presenta-su-nueva-web-con-un-observatorio-de-palabras-que-no-estan-en-el-diccionario.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} defined as an "emoticon used to show happiness or tenderness". | The word ''uwu'' is included in the [[Royal Spanish Academy]]'s word observatory,{{Efn|The word observatory is a website owned by the Royal Spanish Academy featuring words that are not included in the ''[[Diccionario de la lengua española]]'' and that have not been considered for inclusion, but for which people have wanted to know the meaning, including technical terms, neologisms, and foreign words.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morales|first=Manuel|date=2020-10-23|title=La RAE presenta su nueva web, con un 'Observatorio' de palabras que no están en el 'Diccionario'|url=https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-10-23/la-rae-presenta-su-nueva-web-con-un-observatorio-de-palabras-que-no-estan-en-el-diccionario.html|access-date=June 4, 2021|work=[[El País]]|language=es|archive-date=2021-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705171521/https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-10-23/la-rae-presenta-su-nueva-web-con-un-observatorio-de-palabras-que-no-estan-en-el-diccionario.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} defined as an "emoticon used to show happiness or tenderness". | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 05:11, 4 October 2025
uwu (/ˈuːwuː/ Audio file "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-uwu.wav" not found), also stylized UwU, is an emoticon representing a cute face. The u characters represent closed eyes, while the w represents a cat mouth. It is used to express various warm, happy, or affectionate feelings.
Usage and variants
The emoticon uwu is often used to denote cuteness (kawaii), happiness, or tenderness. Excessive usage of the emoticon can also have the intended effect of annoying its recipient. It is popularly used in the furry fandom.
OwO
The emoticon also has a more surprised and sometimes allusive variant, owo (also stylized OwO; /ˈoʊwoʊ/ Audio file "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-owo.wav" not found; also associated with the furry fandom) that may also denote cuteness, as well as curiosity and perplexion (often the response "what's this?"). owo gained popularity in 2018; as opposed to uwu, the o characters represent open eyes. It is also sometimes used for trolling.
The OwO variant was found inscribed on the used bullet in the investigation of the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025.
TwT
Another variant, TwT, is often used to symbolize crying, with each T representing a closed eye with tears streaming down.
History
The emoticon uwu is known to date back as far as April 11, 2000, when it was used by furry artist Ghislain Deslierres in a post on the furry art site VCL (Vixen Controlled Library). A 2005 anime fanfiction contained another early use of the word. The origin of the term is unknown, with many people believing it to originate in Internet chat rooms. By 2014, the emoticon had spread across the Internet into Tumblr, becoming an Internet subculture.
The word uwu is included in the Royal Spanish Academy's word observatory,Template:Efn defined as an "emoticon used to show happiness or tenderness".
