Oxford Languages has selected ‘brain rot’ as its Word of the Year for 2024, reflecting growing concerns about online content’s impact on mental well-being.
The term is defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially from overconsumption of trivial online content.”
It gained significant popularity, with usage increasing 230% between 2023 and 2024.
Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, said: “After a public vote with more than 37,000 participants, our team concluded that this term encapsulates the growing conversations about the impact of online content on mental health.”
While the phrase’s first recorded use dates back to 1854 in Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, it has gained new relevance in the digital age.
Viral content like the Skibidi Toilet video series and ‘only in Ohio‘ memes contributed to its widespread adoption.
Grathwohl noted the term’s significance, stating it “captures the perceived dangers of our virtual lives” and interestingly, the very communities creating such content are also embracing the term.
The selection serves as a reminder of the potential cognitive consequences of unchecked online content consumption.
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