New England's Dream Of A Lobster Emoji Will Finally Come True In 2018!
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Have you ever been writing a text or a Facebook message only to find that a vital emoji was missing? You aren't alone.
Each year the Unicode Consortium receives countless requests for new graphic icons, including a passionate campaign for a lobster emoji led by Maine senator, Angus King.
This past September, he sent a letter to the organization citing the lobster's cultural significance, role in the Maine economy, extensive Google searches from lobster lovers, and current use of the hashtag #NoLobsterEmoji.
“A new lobster emoji would fill a necessary and unique void in the current Emoji List, and, should it be added, appears destined for significant usage by lobster fans around the world,” he wrote. “Neither the existing crab nor shrimp emoji can be effectively used to represent a lobster, which has a distinctively different profile.”
On Wednesday, King announced via Twitter that the campaign was a success!
Great news for Maine - we're getting a lobster emoji!!! Thanks to @unicode for recognizing the impact of this critical crustacean, in Maine and across the country.
— Senator Angus King (@SenAngusKing) February 7, 2018
Yours truly,
Senator 🐮👑
According to a Unicode Consortium press release on the same day, texters and Facebookers can look forward to sending “hot face,” pirate flag, mosquito, and, of course, lobster emojis come the second half of 2018.
It turns out Senator King was not the only New Englander incensed by the lack of a Maine state crustacean emoji.
Luke Holden, owner of Luke's Lobster in Boston, began a Change.org petition that garnered more than 5,000 signatures on behalf of the lobster graphic.
“The emoji sea is filled with crab, shrimp, octopus, squid, whale, spouting whale, Blowfish (?) and even non-fish-human-deep-sea-diver! ! And out of the water, shrimp gets extra love with tempura!” the petition reads. “There is a large void in the shape of our favorite Maine lobster.”
It's happening. The crucial crustacean, the #lobsteremoji will be real in 2018! Thanks to everyone who signed our petition, and @SenAngusKing for the support! Expect LOTS of emojis in the second 1/2 of 2018 from us 😋 https://t.co/ipAZyKboMN https://t.co/vlnouEeH05
— Luke's Lobster (@LukesLobster) February 7, 2018
For the next six months or so, New Englanders will have to continue typing out the word "lobster", but once late summer rolls around, you can expect to see the "crucial crustacean" emoji popping up everywhere!
H/T to Boston Magazine
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