But we never took that step forward fully. We are constantly using icons in real life (trafic signs is one example) when we want to communicate small dose of information, to everyone, in short amount of time. That's why we use icons - changing taskbar into list of words works only until there is enough space, and even then is more annoying then just finding instantly recognizable picture.
The OP was talking about hundreds or thousands of icons -- tough to have an easy way to have meanings for all of those. Also the OP showed some icons -- it was not at all obvious what the meanings were.
Right, for an icon, commonly, hovering the mouse over the icon causes the display of a word or two or so of English that defines the icon. So, I'm suggesting, just use the word or two of English instead of the icon.
