Eggplant Emoji Meaning and Where to Use?

Last year, during a group chat with my uni mates, someone dropped an eggplant emoji in a conversation about dinner. The reply? A flurry of laughter and awkward side-eyes. “You do know what that means, right?” someone texted. That’s when it hit me—a vegetable had become one of the most misunderstood (and misused) symbols on the internet.

But what does the eggplant emoji actually mean? And why has it become such a source of confusion, humour, and occasionally, embarrassment?

Let’s dig in.

The Origins of the Eggplant Emoji 🍆

Originally introduced in Unicode 6.0 in 2010, the eggplant emoji was intended to represent, quite literally, an aubergine (as we call it here in the UK). Alongside other food emojis like the peach, taco, and hotdog, it was a simple graphic meant to enhance messages about meals or grocery lists.

However, the eggplant quickly took on a life of its own.

How It Became a Euphemism

Social media users, particularly on platforms like Twitter, Tumblr, and later Instagram, began using the eggplant emoji as a visual metaphor for male genitalia. Why? Its unmistakable shape. The visual similarity was enough to give it new meaning, and soon it became the go-to symbol for sexting and flirty banter online.

According to Emojipedia and a 2022 report by Adobe, the eggplant ranks among the top emojis used in romantic and sexual conversations. In fact, Instagram has even shadowbanned the emoji in certain contexts to prevent explicit use.

Understanding the Double Meaning

Like many emojis, the eggplant can be completely innocent—or wildly inappropriate—depending on context.

1. Innocent Uses

Mentioning ingredients in a recipe
Talking about gardening or produce
Referring to vegetarian or vegan meals

2. Suggestive or NSFW Uses

Flirty messages or innuendos
Sexting, often paired with the peach emoji (🍑)
Online memes or viral content

A survey by Match.com found that over 30% of millennials and Gen Z respondents admitted to using emojis with hidden meanings in romantic chats. The eggplant, unsurprisingly, was at the top of that list.

Why Context Matters More Than Ever

In one of my early freelance gigs, a brand asked me to create a series of Instagram captions for a new Mediterranean recipe book. I used the eggplant emoji in a caption about ratatouille—innocently, of course. The client replied, “Maybe skip that one. It could be taken the wrong way.” Lesson learned.

Professional vs. Personal Communication

Professional: Best to avoid it altogether unless it’s 100% clear you mean the vegetable.
Personal: Use with caution. Even in friendly chats, misinterpretation can cause discomfort.

Generational Gap

Boomers and Gen X might interpret it literally, while younger users likely know its alternative meaning. This gap in understanding adds another layer of risk when using emojis across age groups.

Emoji Culture: How Symbols Get Rewritten

The eggplant isn’t alone. Emoji culture is constantly evolving, often in ways the original creators never intended.

Other examples:

Peach 🍑 — Often used to represent buttocks
Fire 🔥 — Symbol for something attractive or exciting
Droplets 💦 — Implies sexual excitement

These meanings develop through cultural consensus. They’re not official, but they become accepted through widespread use. The eggplant emoji, for better or worse, has been swept up in this linguistic evolution.

What Experts Say

Linguist Dr. Gretchen McCulloch, author of Because Internet, notes that emojis have become “the internet’s body language.” Just as a smirk or wink changes the meaning of spoken words, emojis add nuance to digital communication.

In a 2021 study published in the journal Language and Communication, researchers found that emoji use can strengthen emotional tone but also lead to miscommunication when symbols have culturally loaded meanings.

So, the eggplant isn’t just a joke. It’s a case study in how language and visuals intersect in the digital age.

How to Use the Eggplant Emoji Responsibly

If you’re not sure whether or not to use it, follow this simple guide:

When It’s OK

Food blogs, recipes, or restaurant reviews
Gardening content or plant-based diets
Inside jokes with people who get the humour

When to Avoid It

Work emails or brand content
Messages to someone you don’t know well
School-related or academic settings

Remember: emojis are a visual shorthand. And shorthand only works when both parties understand the code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the eggplant emoji considered offensive?

A: Not inherently, but in sexual contexts, it can be seen as vulgar or inappropriate—especially in professional settings.

Q: Can I use the eggplant emoji in marketing?

A: If your brand voice is playful and your audience is in on the joke, maybe. But most businesses should steer clear.

Q: What other emojis are used similarly?

A: The peach (🍑), sweat droplets (💦), tongue (😛), and banana (🍌) are often used in suggestive contexts.

Q: Has the meaning changed over time?

A: Yes. Initially literal, the emoji’s meaning has become more suggestive as digital slang evolved.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Veggie

The eggplant emoji is a prime example of how digital language evolves beyond its original design. It shows how something as mundane as a vegetable can become a cultural flashpoint, a punchline, or even a faux pas.

So next time you’re about to hit send on that 🍆, pause for a second. Ask yourself: will the person on the other end get the joke—or just be confused?

Have you ever misused the eggplant emoji or seen it used hilariously out of context? Share your story in the comments below!