Spend too much time scrolling? Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year is for you.

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Brain rot, a 170-year-old concept that has taken on new meaning in the age of social media, is the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024.

Oxford University Press, The publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary defines brain rot as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially as a result of overuse of material perceived as trivial or unchallenging.” “.

“Also: something that is likely to cause such deterioration.”

It was chosen by over 37,000 people in a public vote from a shortlist of six words including “Courage“, “Romantic“and”Dynamic pricing”

The word first appeared in 1854 when Henry David Thoreau complained in his book. Walden: “While England is trying to cure the potato rot, will no one try to cure the brain rot, which is far more widespread and fatal?”

No such effort seems to have been made as brainwashing has gained new prominence this year as a term used to describe excessive amounts of low-quality online content, particularly is used to address concerns about the effects of social media use”.

Between 2023 and 2024, the frequency of use of the word increased by 230%.

“‘Mind Disorder’ speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we’re spending our free time. It’s the right next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology.” feels like. It’s no surprise that so many voters embraced the term and endorsed it as our choice this year,” said Caspar Grathohl, president of Oxford Languages.

“I find it interesting that the term ‘brain rot’ has been adopted by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, communities largely responsible for the consumption and creation of digital content. These communities have embraced expression through social media channels. By extension, this is where the ‘brain drain’ comes from, reflecting a somewhat cheeky self-awareness among younger generations about the harmful effects of social media they’ve inherited.

The Oxford Word of the Year, which aims to reflect the year’s moods and trends, preceded itrizz“, derived from the word “charisma”, took last year’s title.”Goblin mode“and”vaxWon in 2022 and 2021 respectively.

After celebrities such as pop stars Dua Lipa And gymnast Simone Biles talks about showing off her achievements. Cambridge Dictionary Name “Manifest” as the word of the year for 2024.

term, which gained popularity especially on social media. TikTokAbout 130,000 hits were made to the Cambridge Dictionary online this year.

Wendelin Nichols, publishing manager of Cambridge Dictionaries, said that by 2024 the word had “significantly increased usage”.

He said that the events in 2024 have made its use very widespread in all forms of media and shows how the meaning of a word can change over time.

Collins Dictionary also took a cue from this. From social media, after British pop star Charli XCX’s critically acclaimed sixth album, Brat, “brat” was named the word of the year.

The dictionary noted that “brat” was “redefined to characterize a confident, independent, and cheerful attitude” that quickly became a summer aesthetic movement.