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Thursday, July 30, 2026
Charlotte, NC|Independent Local News
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Unicode's New Emoji Set Lands in Ballantyne: Bigfoot, Orca, and More

Unicode's new emoji set brings Bigfoot, orcas, ballet dancers, and one thing we can all agree on.

JB
Jack Beckett· Staff Writer
||2 min read
Strolling Ballantyne
Strolling Ballantyne

When Local News Goes International

Let's be honest: "new emoji" isn't exactly breaking news for Ballantyne. But if there's one thing our neighborhood keyboard and yours can agree on, it's that that trombone emoji is the real MVP.

Inside the New Unicode 17.0 Lineup

According to the Unicode Consortium's preview, due on devices in spring 2026, here's what to expect:

  • Apple core

  • Ballet dancer

  • Distorted face

  • Fight cloud

  • Hairy creature (aka Bigfoot)

  • Orca

  • Treasure chest

  • Trombone

Why We're Here for the Orca

Sure, a fight cloud sounds dramatic, but have you tried sending an orca emoji mid-email? Suddenly your Gmail is way more majestic.

An Emoji for Every Occasion

  • Birthday? Ballet dancer.

  • When you lose your keys? Treasure chest.

  • When someone tells a tall tale? Hairy creature.

See? It's practically local news, because around here, we'll find a way to emoji-ify everything.

Explore More on Strolling Ballantyne

Feeling curious? Dive into our favorite corners of Ballantyne, even if they're not emoji‑shaped:

  • Events

  • Hospitality

  • People

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  • Politics

  • Real Estate

  • Sports

  • CMPD

  • Partners

  • Statewide

  • Charlotte

  • Ballantyne

Partner Spotlight

A big thank‑you to our friends at Hubbard Heating and Cooling, LLC. Joel Martin Hubbard II and team keep our homes cozy, no emoji required.

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Footer Funnies

Emoji-nincerely, Nell "☕+Bagel" Thomas

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Creative Commons License

© 2025 Strolling Ballantyne / The Charlotte Mercury This article, "Unicode's New Emoji Set Lands in Ballantyne: Bigfoot, Orca, and More," by Nell Thomas is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.

"Unicode's New Emoji Set Lands in Ballantyne: Bigfoot, Orca, and More" by Nell Thomas, Strolling Ballantyne (CC BY-ND 4.0)

JB
Jack Beckett

Staff Writer

Jack Beckett covers government and civic affairs as they touch south Charlotte and Ballantyne: Mecklenburg County Commission decisions, zoning, transit, and state-level Raleigh news that lands on the neighborhood's ledger. Direct, reportorial, primary-sourced. A Mercury Local cross-publication byline, also writing for The Charlotte Mercury, The Farmington Mercury, and Fourth Ward Charlotte.

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