“Brain Rot” Is 2024’s Word of the Year According to Oxford University Press

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As a lifelong student and avid consumer of knowledge, I find the Word of the Year for 2024, “brain rot,” to be both alarming and amusing. Having spent countless hours engrossed in books and intellectual discourse, I can’t help but feel a twinge of irony as I ponder over this term. The idea that our collective brains are rotting away due to the consumption of trivial online content seems like a prophecy fulfilled for those who prefer the comfort of their couches over the challenges of real-world engagement.

As we approach year-end, it’s been announced that “brain rot,” a term sparking global discourse, has emerged as the Word of the Year by Oxford University Press following thorough examination of their language trends. Here I am, reflecting on its significance as we grapple with its far-reaching implications.

Based on the dictionary definition, “brain rot” is a term referring to a perceived decline in a person’s mental or intellectual capacity, often attributed to excessive consumption of trivial or unstimulating online content. The phrase has gained popularity this year and has been widely used on social media as people discuss the impact of consuming too much low-quality digital content. In the last year, its usage increased by 230%. The term was first used in 1854 in Henry David Thoreau’s novel “Walden”.

Among the finalists, we find words such as demure, dynamic pricing, lore, romantasy, and slop. The chosen Word of the Year for 2024 emphasizes the ongoing impact of social media on our daily routines. Topics that go viral shape trends, leaving an indelible mark on the English language, shaping decades to come.

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2024-12-02 13:25