# Icons to the left of the Thread titles

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icons-to-the-left-of-the-thread-titles/490082>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [March 19, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icons-to-the-left-of-the-thread-titles/490082 "2009-03-19T22:01:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BigGibraltar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@BigGibraltar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigGibraltar)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icons-to-the-left-of-the-thread-titles/490082/1 "2009-03-19T22:01:06Z")

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What do the various icons to the left of the thread titles mean? I understand the padlocked one, but what is the difference between the closed envelope and the open envelope with a little piece of paper sticking out?

Or is there some sort of key to these icons that I am missing?

thanks!

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icons-to-the-left-of-the-thread-titles/490082/2 "2009-03-19T22:16:22Z")

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> [@BigGibraltar](#):
>
> Or is there some sort of key to these icons that I am missing?
> 
> thanks!

Yes, down at the bottom of the page, just underneath your display options.

open envelope = new posts  
closed envelope = no new posts  
padlock = thread is closed