The phrase “brain rot” has been crowned Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year, reflecting concerns over the mental toll of trivial online content. According to Oxford University Press, its usage surged by 230% this year, capturing a growing unease about the effects of digital consumption on intellectual well-being.
Defined as the supposed decline in mental sharpness due to consuming shallow material, the term was selected via public vote and linguistic analysis. Its modern relevance echoes Henry David Thoreau’s first recorded use in 1854. Oxford’s Casper Grathwohl said the term highlights the cultural dialogue around humanity’s relationship with technology and free time.
The word edged out other contenders like “dynamic pricing” and “romantasy,” with voters embracing it as a definitive marker of the year’s challenges.
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