Frequently Asked Questions About Side Eye
Side eye has become a ubiquitous part of modern communication, but many people still have questions about its proper usage, cultural significance, and social implications. This comprehensive FAQ addresses the most common questions about side eye, from its basic definition to nuanced cultural considerations.
Understanding side eye goes beyond just knowing what it looks like. The expression carries different weights in different contexts, and using it appropriately requires social awareness and cultural sensitivity. Whether you're trying to decode someone's side eye directed at you or considering deploying it yourself, these answers will help you navigate the subtle art of sideways judgment.
What does side eye mean?
Side eye is a facial expression where someone looks at another person sideways, often conveying disapproval, skepticism, or judgment without directly confronting them. The expression involves turning the head away from the target while keeping the eyes fixed on them, creating a sideways glance that communicates volumes without words. The meaning can range from playful teasing among friends to genuine contempt depending on context, facial expression intensity, and the relationship between the people involved. In professional settings, side eye typically signals stronger disapproval than in casual social situations. The expression became formally recognized in mainstream culture around 2013, though the behavior itself has existed throughout human history as a form of indirect social communication.
How do you give someone side eye?
To give side eye, turn your head slightly away from the person while keeping your eyes focused on them, creating a sideways glance that appears dismissive or critical. The technique involves rotating your head approximately 45-90 degrees away from your target while using your lateral eye muscles to maintain visual contact. The key is the disconnect between where your head points and where your eyes look. For maximum effect, keep your facial expression relatively neutral or slightly disapproving, avoid smiling, and hold the gaze for 2-3 seconds before looking away completely. The intensity can be adjusted by how far you turn your head and how long you maintain the look. Practice in a mirror helps perfect the technique, as subtle variations in eyebrow position and mouth tension significantly affect the message conveyed.
What is the side eye emoji?
The side eye emoji is 😒 (unamused face), which shows a face with eyes looking to the side, expressing annoyance or mild contempt. This emoji, officially named 'Unamused Face' in Unicode Standard, features a face with eyes glancing sideways and a straight or slightly frowning mouth. It was added to Unicode 6.0 in 2010 and has become one of the most frequently used emojis for expressing judgment or skepticism in digital communication. Other emojis sometimes used to convey similar meanings include 👀 (eyes), which can suggest watching or judging, and 🙄 (face with rolling eyes), which expresses exasperation. The 😒 emoji appears differently across platforms, with some versions showing more pronounced side eye than others, but the sideways glance remains consistent across all major platforms including iOS, Android, and Windows.
Is giving side eye rude?
Giving side eye can be considered rude as it's a passive-aggressive way to show disapproval or judgment, though it's often used playfully among friends. The rudeness level depends heavily on context, relationship dynamics, and cultural norms. Among close friends, side eye often serves as humorous commentary or playful teasing without causing offense. However, in professional environments, giving side eye to colleagues or superiors is generally inappropriate and can damage workplace relationships. The expression is considered passive-aggressive because it communicates negative judgment indirectly rather than through honest, direct communication. In some cultures, indirect expressions of disapproval are more socially acceptable than in others. If you're uncertain whether side eye is appropriate in a situation, it's safer to either address concerns directly or keep your reaction private.
Where did the term side eye come from?
The term 'side eye' originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and gained mainstream popularity through social media, describing the ancient human behavior of expressing disapproval through sideways glances. While the behavior itself has existed throughout human history across all cultures, the specific term 'side eye' emerged from Black cultural expression and communication styles. The phrase entered mainstream consciousness around 2013 through Black Twitter and viral social media moments, including celebrity examples and memes. This linguistic journey follows a common pattern where AAVE terms are adopted into general American English, often without proper attribution to their cultural origins. The behavior has equivalents in many languages and cultures, with different terms like 'dirty look' in British English or 'yokome' in Japanese, but the specific phrase 'side eye' has become the dominant English term globally due to social media influence.
Can babies give side eye?
Yes, babies can give side eye, and videos of babies making the expression have gone viral multiple times, demonstrating that this facial expression may be innate rather than learned. Infants as young as 6-8 months have been documented making side eye expressions, typically in response to unfamiliar people, unexpected situations, or when observing interactions between adults. Developmental psychologists suggest this indicates that side eye may be a fundamental human social behavior rather than a culturally learned expression. The famous 'side eye baby' video from 2013 showed an infant giving a perfect side eye glance, accumulating millions of views and proving that even pre-verbal humans understand the communicative power of the sideways glance. However, babies may not fully understand the social implications of the expression they're making, and their side eye might simply reflect natural eye movement patterns combined with skepticism about unfamiliar stimuli.
What animals are known for giving side eye?
Dogs, cats, goats, llamas, and various bird species are particularly known for giving side eye expressions that have become popular in memes and viral content. Chihuahuas have become especially famous for their side eye abilities, with the breed's naturally prominent eyes and expressive faces making their judgmental glances particularly noticeable. Cats give side eye frequently, which animal behaviorists link to their territorial nature and predatory instincts. The expression in cats often indicates they're monitoring something while appearing disengaged. In dogs, 'whale eye' is the technical term for when they show the whites of their eyes while looking sideways, typically indicating stress or discomfort. Goats and llamas have become internet sensations for their seemingly judgmental side eye expressions, which relate to their eye positioning as prey animals with wide fields of vision. Our main page explores animal side eye in greater detail, including the biological and behavioral reasons behind these expressions.
Are there medical conditions that cause side eye appearance?
Yes, several medical conditions can cause eyes to appear positioned sideways, though these are involuntary and different from the deliberate social expression. Strabismus, affecting about 4% of the U.S. population, causes eyes to point in different directions due to muscle imbalance or nerve issues. This can create an appearance similar to side eye but is a constant condition rather than a momentary expression. Sixth nerve palsy affects the lateral rectus muscle, preventing the eye from moving outward properly, which can cause one eye to appear stuck in an inward position while the other looks forward. Certain medications, including some used for mental health conditions, can cause temporary eye movement disorders. Additionally, neurological conditions affecting the brainstem or cranial nerves can impact eye positioning and movement. Anyone experiencing involuntary changes in eye position or movement should consult an ophthalmologist or neurologist, as these symptoms can indicate serious underlying conditions requiring medical treatment.
| Setting | Appropriateness Level | Risk Factor | Recommended Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Among close friends | Highly appropriate | Very low | Direct teasing |
| Family gatherings | Moderately appropriate | Low | Humorous comment |
| Workplace/colleagues | Low appropriateness | High | Professional feedback |
| Toward superiors | Inappropriate | Very high | Private discussion |
| Formal events | Inappropriate | High | Neutral expression |
| Social media/online | Highly appropriate | Very low | Side eye emoji 😒 |
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