From Carrie:

Do you have to put a winkie face after your sentences in order to prove you are joking? Have you noticed how many times that occurs? I have been making it a point not to winkify my sentiments lately. I’ve decided that based on principle I shouldn’t have to add any level of winkness to my sentences in order to make a point.

Have you ever noticed how many people post really digging or sarcastic things, too, but make it all better by adding the winkie? It’s as if the winkie has some kind of pacifying power. “How can you take offense to me…didn’t you see my winkie?” How does that even work?

I don’t get it. I for one prefer to be winkless for the time being.

Good stuff. Except it’d have been 36% funnier to use “winkieless” instead of “winkless” at the end.

I’m guilty of winkie overuse. However, much of the time it’s not meant to smooth over a scathing comment, but rather reinforce the assholiness* of it…like an exclamation point that’s made of 100% cocky. Consider it almost ironic use of the winkie. A lot of times, if I’m ripping you and I end it with a winkie then I’m just being a dick at that point.

There are times when it is meant to signify a playfulness that might not be readily apparent by words alone. (I find that conversational communication via typed word is extremely limiting) Although, I find that I tend to use the smiley more for that.

The winkie also comes into play when something is blatantly meant to be a joke or silly. Just to let you know that I know I’m being a dork.

I find the winkie can be very versatile and I love to play with my winkie as much as possible. ;)

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*when the pope is an asshole you address him with this title (e.g. “Your Assholiness”)