‘Brain rot’ has been selected as the Oxford word of the year for 2024.
This designation came after a total of 37,000 votes, extensive global discourse, and expert evaluations, as stated by Oxford University Press, the entity behind the Oxford English Dictionary.
Previous selections by the publisher include rizz and goblin mode.
What is the meaning of ‘brain rot’?
‘Brain rot’, as defined by Oxford University Press, refers to the “alleged decline in an individual’s cognitive or intellectual condition, particularly seen as a consequence of the excessive intake of content (notably digital material) regarded as trivial or unchallenging.”
Additionally, it can describe something perceived to contribute to such deterioration.
The term ‘brain rot’ was first documented in the 1854 publication Walden, authored by American philosopher Henry David Thoreau, yet its connotation has evolved remarkably in recent times.
According to Oxford University Press, the term’s usage surged by 230% from 2023 to 2024, mainly expressing anxiety about the repercussions of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality digital content and social media.
On TikTok alone, #brainrot has been utilized more than half a million times, often featuring content that lacks coherence.
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Casper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages, remarked: “‘Brain rot’ highlights one of the perceived risks associated with digital life and how we allocate our leisure time.
“It represents a significant addition to the ongoing cultural dialogue surrounding humanity and technology. It is not unexpected that a considerable number of voters embraced this term, recognizing it as our selection for this year.”
Additional words nominated for the accolade of word of the year included:
• Demure: A person whose demeanor or appearance is modest or restrained, not flashy, ostentatious, or overly revealing in clothing.
• Dynamic pricing: The strategy of fluctuating the price of a product or service to reflect changing market conditions; specifically, charging a higher price during peak demand periods.
• Lore: A collection of (alleged) facts, background data, and anecdotes regarding a specific individual or topic, regarded as knowledge.
• Romantasy: A literary genre that merges elements of romance and fantasy, typically involving themes of magic, the supernatural, or adventure interspersed with a primary romantic narrative.
• Slop: Text, art, or other content generated through artificial intelligence that is shared online in a careless or intrusive manner and is characterized by its low quality or inaccuracy.
