Oxford University Press has named “brain rot” as its Word of the Year, reflecting concerns about the impact of excessive consumption of trivial online content, particularly on social media.
The term saw a 230% rise in usage between 2023 and 2024, signifying its relevance in discussions about internet culture and its effects.
Defined as the supposed deterioration of mental or intellectual abilities due to exposure to low-quality material, “brain rot” originally appeared in Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 book Walden.
Thoreau used it to critique society’s decline in valuing complex ideas, famously asking if efforts to cure “potato rot” might extend to curing “brain-rot.” While once confined to social media slang among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the term has gained mainstream traction.
Professor Andrew Przybylski of Oxford University describes the term as a reflection of societal unease with the digital world rather than a scientifically supported condition.
Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, notes the term underscores growing anxieties about virtual life and its role in shaping modern language, much like last year’s winner, “rizz.”
“Brain rot” outpaced contenders like “demure,” “Romantasy,” and “dynamic pricing” for the title, highlighting the intersection of internet culture and evolving social discourse.
#MaltaDaily
