Smiley

Using ASCII characters to represent a face or emotion. Smileys

are usually used in email messages or in chat.

Some basic examples:

 :-)             is a smile

 :-(             is a frown

 :-P             has a lolling tongue

 ;-)             is winking

 B-) or 8-)      has sunglasses

 :-o             surprise

 :-7             tongue in cheek

...there are a lot of possibilities, people are very good at interpreting pictures as faces. See Ascii Art, maybe Electronic communications, Emote, or Emoticon.

Note: "Frownies" :-( were trademarked by Despair Inc in US Patent Registration Number: 2347676