Brain rot is the Oxford word of the year. Are you noticing it? – National [Video]

It’s a phrase that’s been around for nearly two centuries, but amid an influx of social media use brain rot has been named the 2024 word of the year, according to Oxford University Press.

The word is defined as a supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially as a result from overconsumption of material considered to be “trivial or unchallenging.”

On Monday, Oxford announced it as their 2024 word after more than 37,000 votes from the public, worldwide public discussion and analysis of its language data.

“‘Brain rot’ speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we are using our free time,” Casper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages, said.

“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.”

According to its data, Oxford says the term increased in usage by 230 per cent from 2023 and 2024, with …