It’s a phrase that’s been around for nearly two centuries, but amid the influx of social media usage, “brain rot” has been chosen as the word for 2024. According to Oxford University Press.
The word is defined as a supposed deterioration in a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially as a result of excessive consumption of substances considered “frivolous or unchallenging.”
Oxford on Monday announced it as its word for 2024 after more than 37,000 public votes, public discussion around the world and analysis of its language data.
Casper Grathwohl, head of Oxford Languages, said: “Brain Rot is about one of the perceived dangers of virtual life and how we use our free time.”
“It feels like the right next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology. It’s no surprise that so many voters have embraced the term.”
According to its data, Oxford says the term has increased in use by 230 per cent from 2023 and 2024, with the organization noting that it has gained “new importance” to highlight concerns about the impact of people consuming “excessive amounts of low-quality content online”. Especially on social media.”
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It is said that American author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau was the first to use this term in his book, WaldenWhich talks about his experiences living a simple lifestyle in the natural world. In the book, Thoreau criticizes society for its tendency to devalue complex ideas in favor of simple ones, describing this as an indicator of a general decline in mental and intellectual effort.
“Brain rot” was one of several words on Oxford’s shortlist.
Demure was also named Word of the Year following a spike in the use of the phrase “so demure, so sober,” which was first made popular by TikTok user Jools Lebron in reference to her clothing and makeup choices. Made sober Dictionary.com Word of the Year For the year 2024.
Oxford releases its Word of the Year after a panel analyzed the English language to summarize the words and expressions that have “reflected our world” in the past 12 months. They look at data and trends to identify new and emerging words and take into account suggestions from the public, as well as influential moments of the year to determine the shortlist.
This year is Oxford University’s twentieth year of issuing an annual address.
The top word of the year was “chav” in 2004, whose use has since declined, and last year it gave the title to rizz – a shortened form of charisma defined as a person’s ability to attract romance or sex. A partner through style, charm or charm.
&Copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
