‘Brain Rot’ Wins Oxford Word of the Year 2024, Reflecting Social Media Concerns
- The term "brain rot" has been named the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024, reflecting concerns about the mental impact of consuming low-quality online content
- Originating from Henry David Thoreau's 1854 book Walden, "brain rot" has gained prominence among Gen Z and Gen Alpha on platforms like TikTok
- The term encapsulates both the trivial content prevalent online and its potential negative effects on mental health, particularly for younger generations
“Brain rot" as a term has been selected as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024, following a public vote involving over 37,000 participants.
This term, defined as the deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state due to overconsumption of trivial online content, reflects growing societal concerns about the impact of low-quality digital media.
Source: Getty Images
Selection Process and Public Vote
Oxford Languages created a shortlist of six words that encapsulated the year's significant moods and conversations.
PAY ATTENTION: Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live!
After two weeks of public voting and expert deliberation, "brain rot" emerged as the definitive choice, highlighting the term's relevance and increased usage by 230% from 2023 to 2024.
Historical and Modern Context
The term "brain rot" first appeared in Henry David Thoreau's 1854 book, Walden, where it critiqued society's preference for simple ideas over complex ones.
In 2024, "brain rot" gained prominence through platforms like TikTok, particularly among Gen Z and Gen Alpha communities.
It describes both low-value online content and its perceived negative impacts on mental health.
Online Culture and Mental Health Concerns
"Brain rot" is often used humorously by online communities but also points to serious concerns about excessive consumption of trivial content.
Viral content like Alexey Gerasimov's Skibidi Toilet series and 'only in Ohio' memes have popularized the term and its associated slang.
Mental health experts warn about the potential harmful effects of such content, especially on young people.
Expert Insights
Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, praised the public's engagement in selecting the word.
He noted that "brain rot" reflects current worries about the digital age's impact on mental health and the self-awareness of younger generations about the negative effects of social media.
Most Proficient English-Speaking Countries
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the English language, Nigeria's official language, is spoken by nearly 1.5 billion people worldwide.
Of these, 400 million speak it as a primary language, while over 1 billion use it as their secondary means of communication.
PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire
Source: Legit.ng
