Did you know the emoticon of a smiley face that is laughing so hard it is crying (officially known as Face with Tears of Joy Emoji) is now considered completely uncool by younger people? Me ...

The emoticon is old. Or, young, 30 years young! Either way, it's a bona fide grown-up symbol now, with the life experience under its lack of a belt (for it has no waist) to prove it.

Finally, if you are at the receiving end of a smiley face, don't judge. It really shouldn't be a mark of competence in any way, unless the person's job is to generate as many smiley faces as possible.

A study at Australia's Flinders University found that that the pattern of brain activity triggered by looking at an emoticon smiley face is similar to when someone sees a real smiling human face.

The first emoticon — the text smiley — sprang into existence 40 years ago on Sept. 19, 1982, and emojis have been part of online life ever since.

The first emoticon — the text smiley — sprang into existence 40 years ago on Sept. 19, 1982, and emojis have been part of online life ever since.