# We need a :RollEyes: smiley! **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 3, 2014, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228 "2014-04-03T03:56:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/21 "2014-04-04T17:37:51Z")
I think Drunky Smurf is trying to turn this in to some sort of Brickroll about gay marriage and what definitions mean. Yes, there is a ‘[noparse]:rolleyes:[/noparse]’ syntax that will be replaced by a picture. But the smiley that is drawn does not carry–does not even _apporximate_–the same meaning as the original rolleyes smiley. Pictograms, images, convey meaning. Dramatically changing the image dramatically changes the meaning. If for some reason TPTB changed the original basic smiley image to a close-up of a chihuahua’s ass, would you we still say we had a smiley? This change eviscerates that meaning, which has led to the loss of a long-standing, intrinsic part of Board culture, one with roots that extend back to the original columns. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/22 "2014-04-04T19:49:43Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > This change eviscerates that meaning, which has led to the loss of a long-standing, intrinsic part of Board culture, one with roots that extend back to the original columns. No. Obviously Cecil didn’t use emoticons, but his language didn’t convey the rolling of eyes either. He wasn’t a gossip columnist and he didn’t write for _Cosmopolitan_. Cecil does and did open his columns with a wisecrack, typically an insult directed at the letter writer. But most of its fury was directed at the fight against ignorance: I suspect the phrase, “Oh brother!” or other expression of exasperation were pretty rare. Rolleyes is an internet development, guided by the early emoticon designers. Besides, change is part of this board as well. Otherwise we’d still be on AOL dialup. Old Rolleyes constitutes and easy and lazy form of dismissal: it is a poor substitute for the thoughtful dissection of weak argument. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/23 "2014-04-04T19:56:13Z")
This rolleyes is slightly less obnoxious than Old Rolleyes. But only slightly. [![](http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-rolleyes007.gif) ](http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-rolleyes007.gif) I might be able to increase its width. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/24 "2014-04-04T20:15:27Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > No. Obviously Cecil didn’t use emoticons, but his language didn’t convey the rolling of eyes either. He wasn’t a gossip columnist and he didn’t write for _Cosmopolitan_. > > Cecil does and did open his columns with a wisecrack, typically an insult directed at the letter writer. But most of its fury was directed at the fight against ignorance: I suspect the phrase, “Oh brother!” or other expression of exasperation were pretty rare. > > Rolleyes is an internet development, guided by the early emoticon designers. Besides, change is part of this board as well. Otherwise we’d still be on AOL dialup. > Old Rolleyes constitutes and easy and lazy form of dismissal: it is a poor substitute for the thoughtful dissection of weak argument. ::thoughtful dissection of weak argument.:: Maybe I can write a macro. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/25 "2014-04-04T20:21:44Z")
Not that I give a shit, but yeah, that’s more of a coy smirk. It almost looks flirtatious. Might’s well give it a damned halo. \*What you said is ridiculous, therefore \*“tee-hee-hee, aren’t I just a little Dickens!” EMOTICONFUSING! ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/26 "2014-04-04T20:33:36Z")
Old rolleys was basically just a snarky version of STFU that combined pseudosophisticated mockery and derision without any substance to back it up. Maybe it’s time to give it a rest and engage instead with a little less smugness and narcissism. Ok, I just cribbed that language from Kevin Drum’s [rant about the splaining meme](http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/04/can-we-please-ditch-splaining-meme). But I think it applies, albeit with less intensity. Had to share, sorry. :rolleyes: [sup]1[/sup] [sup]1[/sup]No I don’t know what the new rolleyes conveys either. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/27 "2014-04-04T23:41:50Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Maybe it’s time to give it a rest and engage instead with a little less smugness and narcissism. Have you learned _nothing_ from Cecil? _The Straight Dope_ without smugness and narcissism would be _My Weekly Reader!_ Um, with more articles about the caloric content of semen. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/28 "2014-04-04T23:58:13Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Have you learned _nothing_ from Cecil? _The Straight Dope_ without smugness and narcissism would be _My Weekly Reader!_ Um, with more articles about the caloric content of semen. This. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/29 "2014-04-05T02:36:59Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > [sup]1[/sup]No I don’t know what the new rolleyes conveys either. This :rolleyes: looks like someone taking upskirt pics. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/30 "2014-04-05T02:45:01Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > This :rolleyes: looks like someone taking upskirt pics. Before licking their pie and asking them to the prom. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/31 "2014-04-05T13:03:08Z")
The new rolleyes looks like a Smurf sucking on a cough drop. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/32 "2014-04-05T15:30:33Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > The new rolleyes looks like a Smurf sucking on a cough drop. ::smurf sucking on cough drop:: Yes, it does. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/33 "2014-04-05T16:36:29Z")
FTFY: The new rolleyes looks like a Smurf getting its cough drop sucked ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/34 "2014-04-05T17:00:39Z")
We need an animated smiley (frownely?) where the eyes keep rolling until they come up “No Sale.” ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/35 "2014-04-05T17:39:58Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Have you learned _nothing_ from Cecil? _The Straight Dope_ without smugness and narcissism would be _My Weekly Reader!_ Um, with more articles about the caloric content of semen. But does Cecil ever use smilies–rolling eyes or otherwise–in his columns? Not that I can recall. He conveys smugness, sarcasm, frustration, etc. with words. So can we. I do use smilies myself sometimes, but I admit that they are a lazy substitute for a full reply. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/36 "2014-04-06T01:19:59Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > But does Cecil ever use smilies–rolling eyes or otherwise–in his columns? Not that I can recall. He conveys smugness, sarcasm, frustration, etc. with words. So can we. I do use smilies myself sometimes, but I admit that they are a lazy substitute for a full reply. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![j\_sum1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/37 "2014-04-06T12:13:28Z")
To the best of my recollection, I have used rolleyes once. It’s just not a sentiment that I feel to express often and then I would tend to use words. That said, the green-faced snark was an indispensable part of the vernacular in this place and I will miss him. If I, who employ his services so infrequently miss him, how much more must others? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/38 "2014-04-06T14:10:37Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > :dubious: Has anyone seen Siam Sam and Cecil together at the same time? :rolleyes: I licked his pie. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/39 "2014-04-06T19:54:01Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > :dubious: 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228/40 "2014-04-07T04:13:16Z")
Also note that it’s far from limited to snark against a fellow poster. I assume a single rolleyes reply to a post in GD with nothing else would warrant at least a mod note (as would a snark that Measure for Measure would choose to write out). But other than that, they do get used (as do words) in intra-dope conversation all the time. But they’re used a lot more than that. Here’s a random use from a recent thread: > [@I Edit Wikipedia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-edit-wikipedia/682688/3): > > From what I have seen the usual activity by Wikipedia “editors” is reversing any entry by anyone who isn’t a editor.:rolleyes: Not the same communicative value. Unless he really did lick Wikipedia’s pie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-rolleyes-smiley/685228.md?page=3)