SOURCE 01supportshistorical dictionary
Emoticon — Definition, Word History, and First Known Use
Publishes the earlier first-use horizon.
First Known Use: 1987- AUTHOR / EDITOR
- Merriam-Webster Editors
- YEAR
- 2026
- PUBLISHER
- Merriam-Webster
PERMANENT DISPUTE RECORD
ALL DISPUTES ↗CLAIM / COUNTERCLAIM / LIMITRECORD 151
DISPUTE
RECORD.
One scholarly question. Every attached source. The present editorial state, without pretending the last word has been written.
openestablished
Was emoticon first used in 1987 or only by 1992?
Merriam-Webster reports first known use in 1987; Etymonline reports the word by January 1992 and quotes an August 1992 explanation.
WORD UNDER REVIEWDISPUTE 151
emoticon
/ɪˈmoʊtɪkɒn/ · noun
A keyboard-character sequence depicting a facial expression, posture, emotion, or attitude; an English compound of emotion and icon.
01
DIRECT CLAIM EVIDENCE
2 SOURCES WITH A STANCE
A citation is not a vote. Each record says whether the work supports, challenges, contradicts, or contextualizes the position—and identifies the exact locus used.
SOURCE 02challengeshistorical dictionary
Emotion — Origin and history
Publishes the later documentary horizon and example.
Emoticon entry link: by January 1992; PC Magazine August 1992- AUTHOR / EDITOR
- Douglas Harper
- YEAR
- 2026
- PUBLISHER
- Online Etymology Dictionary
02 / EDITORIAL STATE
THE QUESTION REMAINS OPEN.
- CONFIDENCE
- established
- STATUS
- open
- LEGACY SOURCE SUMMARY
- The sources differ in their reported earliest horizons while agreeing on emotion plus icon.
1987 is retained as the earlier lexicographic horizon; the later published report remains visible pending direct primary-object review.