I have no problem with the evolution of language, good for it says I. However when it leads to a dilution of our ability to express exactly what we mean, rather than produce some nebulous approximation, I think it's a bad thing.
Which is why I hate the phrase "you know what I meant", no I know what you said, which is oft times different. People seem to assume a sort of telpathy, they can say something which resembles their meaning and we will divine the rest. Well it wont wash, Gertrude.
The same goes for the written word, only it's much worse. We don't have the non-verbal signals to help us. I am given to understand that 2/3 of spoken language is non-verbal, we lose all of that when we type rather than speak.
Which is why I understand your desire to use t'smillie. Tho' I myself try to use them sparingly.

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