The Mewing Emoji: The Secret Smirk Taking Over Your Texts
Once upon a time, the Smiling Face 🙂 was enough to convey all our good-natured cheer in texts and messages. Then came the Laughing-Until-You-Cry Face 😂, the Heart-Eyes Face 😍, and the countless ways we’ve learned to throw emojis into conversations. But here we are in 2024, where nothing is simple anymore, and something unexpected has stolen the spotlight: the mewing emoji.
If you’re scratching your head thinking, “Mewing? Isn’t that a thing cats do?” you’re almost on the right track. Mewing, as it turns out, is not about cat noises (despite being one letter away from meowing), but instead a viral face-training technique that’s half internet challenge, half beauty hack. Add a dash of Gen-Z meme culture and TikTok wizardry, and we’ve got ourselves the world’s first mewing emoji.
But what on earth is it, why is it here, and why are so many people copying and pasting it all over the internet? Allow me to break down the internet’s quirkiest new phenomenon.
What is Mewing, Anyway?
To understand the mewing emoji, we need to start with mewing itself. Mewing is a facial exercise that involves pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth, supposedly improving jawline definition over time. Yes, it sounds bizarre, and yes, it looks even stranger if you catch someone doing it. But in the age of TikTok, mewing has become a full-on trend with a dedicated fanbase.
Mewing’s allure is simple: in a world obsessed with self-improvement, jawline definition has become the unexpected star of the show. And mewing—created by Dr. Mike Mew, an orthodontist—claims to be the solution to that chiseled jawline without surgery or special gadgets. People on the internet took to this idea like ducks to water. And so, they mewed… and mewed… until someone decided, “Hey, let’s turn this into an emoji!”
Enter the Mewing Emoji
The mewing emoji is exactly what you might imagine: a face that looks suspiciously like it’s trying to flex its jawline while keeping a straight face. Typically, the “😬” emoji—known officially as the Grimacing Face—gets repurposed as the mewing emoji. The slightly forced look of the Grimacing Face is a perfect fit for what one’s face actually looks like when attempting to mew. It’s a combination of determination, self-consciousness, and a bit of “I really hope this is working.”
Popular Uses:
- Bragging Rights – If you’ve been mewing consistently for two weeks and think you’re noticing results, you might caption a selfie with “Jawline check! 😬💪” Or if you’re holding back in a conversation, sending a “😬” along with a “just mewing!” is internet shorthand for “I’m working on myself over here.”
- Subtle Humor – Since the face looks slightly uncomfortable, it’s perfect for light, sarcastic replies. Let’s say your friend asks, “Have you actually been working out, or just… watching videos about it?” And you reply with, “Only mewing counts as workout, right? 😬”
- When You’re Not Sure How to React – Stuck in a conversation that’s a little awkward or when you don’t know what to say? Mewing emoji to the rescue! It adds a lighthearted “I’m here, I’m awkward, but let’s go with it” vibe.
But Why Is This a Thing?
It’s no secret that emojis evolve to reflect the language of their time, and if the last few years have shown us anything, it’s that TikTok is where most of that evolution begins. The mewing emoji isn’t just a quirky face; it’s a symbol of the self-improvement micro-trends that sprout like wildflowers in the fertile soil of the internet.
Part of the mewing emoji’s appeal lies in its ability to convey that uniquely Gen-Z quality of ironic self-awareness. It’s a way to poke fun at ourselves while also embracing the quirks that make internet culture so relatable. Sure, the Grimacing Face has been around for years, but now, it’s got a new identity. It’s a metaphor for the low-key absurdity of our quest for personal perfection.
How to Use the Mewing Emoji in Your Life (Without Going Overboard)
- Light-Hearted Self-Deprecation: The next time you’re caught up in a self-improvement kick, throw in a “😬” to keep things real. It’s your way of saying, “I know this is a bit silly, but I’m all in.”
- For Friendly Jabs: Friend brags about going to the gym? Hit them back with a “I’ll stick with mewing, thanks 😬.” It’s all in good fun and adds a little charm to the convo.
- In Place of Awkward Pauses: Sometimes, conversations get a bit tense. If you don’t know what to say, a “😬” can buy you time and add just the right amount of levity to lighten things up.
- Embrace Your Inner Meme Lord: Mewing may be a trend that comes and goes, but the meme-worthy appeal of this emoji is here to stay. So, sprinkle it around your chats with an air of playful irreverence.
Final Thoughts on the Mewing Emoji
In a way, the mewing emoji is more than just a funny face. It’s a nod to the internet’s never-ending fascination with reinvention. Whether we’re mewing our way to a sharper jawline or simply using a quirky emoji to inject a bit of humor, the mewing emoji reminds us that the journey to self-improvement doesn’t have to be serious. In fact, the sillier, the better.
And maybe that’s the real lesson here. Amidst the endless stream of trends and tips, it’s the little things—like a glittering new emoji meaning—that make internet culture so vibrant and fun. So, next time you’re in a text convo, throw in a “😬.” Because, like mewing itself, life is all about trying something new… even if it makes you look a little funny. 😬
