By its nature, the Web makes communicating faster and easier. Because of this, a kind of Web language has emerged, using symbols and acronyms to express larger phrases and feelings - on cyber time. Use this guide to decipher what surfers are saying, and express yourself in cyberspeak.
Emoticons are facial expressions created by punctuation symbols.
They are used to quickly express an emotion without words, or clarify the tone of text messages. A note like this would probably send shivers down the spine of a typical worker. While it really shouldn't, this type of e-mail can instill the equivalent foreboding of being called to the principle's office in fifth grade. Just that little symbol turned a message that could have brought on nausea and fear of being fired into a much less ominous request. The emoticon acts as a signal of sorts that there's nothing to worry about - unless your boss is really twisted and just toying with your emotions.