'emoticon' originates from English, specifically a blend of 'emotion' and 'icon', where 'emotion' meant 'a strong feeling' and 'icon' meant 'a symbol or representation'.

'emoticon' was coined in the 1980s as a portmanteau of 'emotion' and 'icon', reflecting its use in digital communication.

Initially, it meant 'a symbol representing an emotion', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.