Oxford names 'brain rot' as 2024 word of the year: What does it mean?
A man holds a phone, displaying word of ''brain rot'', as the Oxford Dictionary has chosen the word, which refers to the unnecessary and entertaining use of social media, as the word of the year in London, United Kingdom on December 2, 2024. (Photo b
LONDON - As 2024 draws to an end, there is one word that has apparently risen to the top of our vocabulary.
Oxford University Press said "brain rot" is the Oxford dictionaries’ word of the year. The press said the evocative phrase "gained new prominence in 2024," with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before.
What is brain rot?
Oxford defines brain rot as "the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging."
The word of the year is intended to be "a word or expression that reflects a defining theme from the past 12 months."
"Brain rot" was chosen by a combination of public vote and language analysis by Oxford lexicographers. It beat five other finalists: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore.
RELATED: Saying 'thanks' can improve your health – and may even lengthen your life
While it may seem a modern phenomenon, the first recorded use of "brain rot" was by Henry David Thoreau in his 1854 ode to the natural world, "Walden."
Mental health in the workplace
Last year, nearly a quarter of people who sought mental health treatment through their employers cited anxiety as their main issue, according to a study by ComPsych Corporation, a mental health services provider based in Chicago. Joelle Moray, a therapist, speaker, and bestselling author of What Are We Doing?! Radical Self-Care for the Hustle Culture, joined LiveNOW from FOX to discuss.
Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said that in its modern sense, "’brain rot’ speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we are using our free time."
"It feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology. It’s not surprising that so many voters embraced the term, endorsing it as our choice this year," he said.
Last year’s Oxford word of the year was "rizz," a riff on charisma, used to describe someone’s ability to attract or seduce another person.
Collins Dictionary’s 2024 word of the year is "brat" – the album title that became a summer-living ideal.