“Brain Rot” Designated Oxford’s Word of the Year Amid Concerns Over Online Content Consumption

Oxford University Press has designated “brain rot” as its phrase or word of the year. This term addresses worries regarding the effects of consuming excessive quantities of low-quality online material, particularly on social media platforms. The frequency of its use increased by 230% between 2023 and 2024. According to Andrew Przybylski, a psychologist and professor at Oxford University, the word’s widespread adoption signifies a “symptom of the time we’re living in.” “Brain rot” was chosen over five other shortlisted terms by the dictionary publisher, such as demure, Romantasy, and dynamic pricing. The definition of “brain rot” refers to the presumed decline in an individual’s mental or intellectual condition, particularly attributed to the excessive intake of content deemed trivial or lacking challenge. The earliest documented instance of “brain rot” predates the internet’s inception, appearing in Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 book, *Walden*. In this work, Thoreau critiques society’s inclination to undervalue complex concepts and views this as contributing to a broader decrease in mental and intellectual exertion. He poses the question: “While England endeavours to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavour to cure the brain-rot – which prevails so much more widely and fatally?” Initially, the term gained popularity within Gen Z and Gen Alpha communities on social media, but it has since entered mainstream usage to characterize low-quality, low-value content encountered on social media platforms. Professor Przybylski states that “there’s no evidence of brain rot actually being a thing.” He further explains that “Instead it describes our dissatisfaction with the online world and it’s a word that we can use to bundle our anxieties that we have around social media.” Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, observes that reviewing the Oxford Word of the Year selections from the past two decades reveals “society’s growing preoccupation with how our virtual lives are evolving, the way internet culture is permeating so much of who we are and what we talk about.” He notes that “Last year’s winning word, ‘rizz,’ was an interesting example of how language is increasingly formed, shaped, and shared within online communities. “Brain rot speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we are using our free time.” Oxford University Press, the publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary, is not the sole entity to select a word of the year. Last month, the Cambridge Dictionary revealed “manifest” as its chosen word. The conventional definition of “manifest” encompassed the adjective “easily noticed or obvious” and the noun “to show something clearly through signs or actions.” Its current definition now incorporates “to manifest” in the context of “to imagine achieving something you want, in the belief doing so will make it more likely to happen.” This updated meaning aligns with a global wellness trend supported by celebrities such as singer Dua Lipa, who stated she manifested her headline performance at Glastonbury. Additionally, the Collins English Dictionary declared “brat” as its word of the year in November, a term that has been prominent recently due to Charli XCX’s viral album. “Brat” is defined as an individual possessing a “confident, independent and hedonistic attitude.” While originating as the title of her number one album, it has arguably evolved into a cultural phenomenon for some, with individuals embracing the “brat” lifestyle. Separately, Dictionary.com’s word of the year, “demure,” was influenced by another internet trend. The term gained traction in August following a TikTok post by content creator Jools Lebron, showcasing her demure work outfit and mindful make-up. Subsequently, the “very demure, very mindful” trend emerged, with its satirical concept playfully mocking conventional notions of femininity.