‘Brain Rot’ Named Oxford Word of the Year for 2024
In a year marked by conversations about the impact of social media, “brain rot” has been crowned Oxford Word of the Year for 2024 following a public vote involving over 37,000 participants. The term reflects growing concerns about the mental toll of consuming excessive low-quality online content.
Defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material…considered to be trivial or unchallenging,” the term “brain rot” saw a 230 percent increase in usage between 2023 and 2024, according to Oxford’s language data.
While the phrase dates back to 1854, its meaning has since evolved. Henry David Thoreau first used the term in his book Walden to critique society’s intellectual decline. He argued that the tendency to prioritize simple, one-dimensional ideas over complex or nuanced thinking signaled a broader deterioration in mental effort. In his words, “While England endeavors to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavor to cure the brain rot, which prevails so much more widely and fatally?” Initially popularized on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, particularly among Gen Z and Gen Alpha communities, the term has since become mainstream.
Often used humorously or self-deprecatingly, “brain rot” is closely associated with viral internet culture. Examples include creator Alexey Gerasimov’s Skibidi Toilet web series and Philip Banks’ “Chill Guy” memes. These trends highlight how online slang transitions into broader everyday language.
The term’s selection as Word of the Year also sparks a more serious societal conversation about the impact of digital consumption on mental health. Concerns about “brain rot” are focused on children and young people, with some experts warning that constant exposure to trivial or absurd online content may hinder intellectual and emotional development. Earlier this year, a U.S.-based mental health center released guidelines to help parents recognize and address the issue.
Oxford language experts created a shortlist of six words that encapsulated the year’s defining conversations. After public input and internal deliberations, “brain rot” emerged as the definitive choice, symbolizing the growing unease about social media’s role in shaping modern life. As social media continues to evolve, “brain rot” serves as both a humorous critique and a warning about the consequences of online overconsumption.
Luis Apolo Staff Reporter teen/1733360770/1613367592
1. How is “brain rot” defined, and what concern does it highlight about digital content?
2. When was the term “brain rot” first used, and who introduced it?
3. What was the original meaning of “brain rot” as used by Henry David Thoreau?
4. What societal concerns are raised about “brain rot,” especially regarding young people?
1. Have you ever felt that consuming too much online content affects your focus or mental clarity? How do you manage this?
2. Do you think “brain rot” is an accurate term for the impact of low-quality online content, or do you see it differently? Why?
3. What steps do you take to ensure the content you consume online is meaningful or enriching?
4. In your opinion, how should society address the mental health concerns linked to social media overconsumption?
In a year marked by conversations about the impact of social media, “brain rot” has been crowned Oxford Word of the Year for 2024 following a public vote involving over 37,000 participants. The term reflects growing concerns about the mental toll of consuming excessive low-quality online content.
Often used humorously or self-deprecatingly, “brain rot” is closely associated with viral internet culture. Examples include creator Alexey Gerasimov’s Skibidi Toilet web series and Philip Banks’ “Chill Guy” memes. These trends highlight how online slang transitions into broader everyday language.
