keyboard
Unicode: 2328 FE0F
Description
A square outlining a 'delete' or 'backspace' key, often with an 'x' or left-pointing arrow within it. The FE0F is a variation selector that ensures it's displayed as an emoji.
Group:
Objects > computer
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Neutral, utilitarian, or expressing an action. It doesn't typically convey a personal emotion but rather an action of deletion.
Backstory
The BACKSPACE emoji (U+232B) is a character that pre-dates many modern emojis, originating from symbols used within computing and control pictures. The addition of variation selector FE0F (U+FE0F) forces it to be rendered as an emoji, giving it a more graphical, often colored, appearance rather than a plain text character.
Usage Examples
- Indicating a need to correct or remove something: 'Let's rethink that line. ␛'
- Representing the action of backspacing: 'Hit the ␛ to clear the last entry.'
- Metaphorically: 'I need to ␛ what I just said.'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Universally understood as 'delete' or 'backspace' on a keyboard.
East Asian culture:
Also understood as 'delete' or 'backspace', consistent with its function on digital interfaces.