Oxford’s Word of the Year 2024, “Brain Rot”, reflects growing concerns about the effects of digital distractions on mental health. The term highlights the timeless challenge of balancing external noise and inner clarity.

In 2024, Oxford University Press (OUP) has selected “brain rot” as its ‘Word of the Year’, by highlighting growing concerns about the mental effects of consuming trivial online content.

“Brain rot” refers to the perceived decline in mental acuity due to overexposure to low-quality digital media, especially on social platforms. OUP’s decision reflects society’s increasing unease about how endless scrolling and superficial content impact cognitive health.

In recognizing “brain rot” as the Word of the Year, OUP not only captures a contemporary issue but also connects it to historical critiques, emphasizing the enduring importance of mindful consumption in preserving mental clarity.

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

The term has gained traction among younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are both creators and consumers of the content it describes. Grathwohl observed, “I also find it fascinating that the word brain rot has been adopted by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, those communities largely responsible for the use and creation of the digital content the term refers to.”

Interestingly, this term’s roots trace back to renowned American writer-Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 work, ‘Walden’. Here he critiques society’s distractions—a sentiment that resonates in today’s digital age. Brain rot is Oxford’s Word of the Year 2024 but David Thoreau warned back in 1854.

Long before the digital era, Thoreau expressed concerns about societal distractions in ‘Walden’. Living in a cabin near Walden Pond from 1845 to 1847, Thoreau advocated for simplicity and introspection. He criticized then era’s technological advancements, like the telegraph, for creating unnecessary noise and diverting attention from meaningful pursuits. Thoreau’s reflections underscore the timeless struggle against distractions, whether from 19th-century innovations or today’s digital media.

It is indeed a ‘Timeless Critique’. The resurgence of “brain rot” underscores a persistent challenge: balancing technological engagement with mental well-being. Thoreau’s 19th-century insights into the perils of constant distraction remain relevant, urging a mindful approach to technology use. As society navigates the complexities of the digital age, revisiting Thoreau’s call for simplicity and deliberate living offers valuable guidance.

Thoreau’s experiences over the course of two years, two months, and two days in a cabin he built near Walden Pond amidst woodland, is a memoir that reflects on the author’s long living in solitude by a lake. It explores the themes of self-reliance, simplicity, and the beauty of nature, advocating for a life lived intentionally and stripped of unnecessary materialism. Themes here are:

1.Rejection of Materialism: By living in the woods near Walden Pond, Thoreau realized the value of having almost no belongings.

2. Self-Reliance: Thoreau writes several times about the lessons he learned from relying on himself for everything from food to emotional comfort.

In fact, ‘Walden’ by Thoreau is considered a classic American novel. Originally, it was titled Life in the Woods, but Thoreau later changed the name to Walden to make it more succinct. He was a transcendentalist who escaped to the wilderness, and lived on a land owned by his friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thoreau wanted to have a meaningful experience in which he could disconnect in order to contemplate himself and the world. ‘Walden’ is the culmination of that contemplation.

For Thoreau, writing Walden was his way of recording his experience and thoughts during his time in the wilderness. Thoreau’s goal in writing the book was to reach the essence of what it truly meant to live. He wanted to find the meaning of life, and, while this goal is lofty, yet he succeeded.

However, the book itself is fairly difficult to read. It is written in old prose that is not very accessible to modern readers, and because of Thoreau’s use of satire, humor, and witticism, it can often be hard to tell when he is being serious and when he is not. The novel is split into seventeen chapters with titles such as “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For,” “Solitude,” “The Bean Field,” and “Higher Laws” that address certain aspects of his time in the woods. These chapters act as guideposts that make the book easier to understand. Still, the book addresses some of the higher truths.

And, now it’s official: “Brain rot” is the Oxford dictionary’ word of the year. Oxford University Press shared that the evocative phrase “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before. Following a public vote in which more than 37,000 people had their say, it was announced that the ‘Oxford Word of the Year for 2024’ is ‘brain rot’.

So, if one is ever felt like endless scrolling was melting your brain, you’re not alone—Oxford University Press has declared “brain rot” its word of the year for 2024. The phrase has seen a great increase in usage over the past year, reflecting its resonance in contemporary discourse.

Chosen through a combination of public voting and expert analysis, “brain rot” edged out other finalists, including demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy, and lore. The term is seen as emblematic of how digital consumption has shaped societal concerns, especially with the proliferation of superficial or unchallenging content online.

Concept of the word of the year: The word(s) of the year, sometimes capitalized as “Word(s) of the Year” and abbreviated “WOTY”, refers to any of various assessments as to the most important word(s) or expression (s) in the public sphere during a specific year. The German tradition, Wort des Jahres was started in 1971.

‘Gen Z’ slang, in particular, is also having a pronounced impact on the lexicon. The word ” brat “, the name of Charli XCX’s sixth studio album has now been named the Collins English Dictionary 2024 Word of The Year. It’s defined in the dictionary as “Characterized by a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude.”

As such, though “brain rot” has become a cultural touchstone in 2024, the phrase has deep historical roots. Its first recorded use dates back to 1854 when Thoreau referenced it in his seminal work on naturalism.

Despite its origins, the modern usage resonates as a critique of the digital age. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl highlighted its pertinence, stating, “‘Brain rot’ speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we are using our free time.

The competition was stiff, with “brain rot” triumphing over five other finalists, including “romantasy” (a blend of romance and fantasy) and “dynamic pricing,” a term increasingly used in economic discussions. Yet “brain rot” stood out for capturing the zeitgeist, reflecting widespread unease with the effects of relentless online consumption.

Last year’s Oxford word of the year, “rizz,” showcased the internet’s influence on language, describing someone’s ability to attract or seduce. Again, reassuring, Collins Dictionary’s 2024 word of the year, meanwhile, is “brat,” inspired by the titular album by British pop star Charli XCX that exemplified the ideal of enjoying a “brat-summer.” But it’s “brain rot” that encapsulates the digital exhaustion and cultural reflection that defined the past year.

Oxford’s selection not only chronicles the evolution of language but also mirrors the anxieties and aspirations of an increasingly screen-focused world. It highlights how society adapts, responds, and evolves in a hyper-digitalized era.

Internet Slang Words: These can be entirely new made-up words or words that have been in common parlance for years but have taken on a new meaning online.

For example, “slay” had been used in the English language for centuries, meaning to kill a person or an animal in a violent way, before it was co-opted by Millennials and Gen-Z as a positive term, meaning to be impressive, stylish or successful.

Slang words can be to tell as to which generation you belong to. Examples of Gen Z Slang include “yeet,” “frfrfr” and “rizz,” while Millennials have long used words like “legit,” “basic,” “bae” and “shook.”

Gen Z slang in particular is having a pronounced impact on the lexicon. The word “Brat” has now been named the Collins English Dictionary 2024 Word of The Year. It’s defined in the dictionary as “Characterized by a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude.”

As per a study, the top ten most searched slang words in America are:

Demure – 260,000 searches

Sigma – 220,000 searches

Skibidi – 205,000 searches

Hawk tuah – 180,000 searches

Sobriquet – 105,000 searches

Shmaltz – 65,000 searches

Sen – 50,000 searches

Katz – 34,000 searches

Oeuvre – 25,000 searches

Preen – 20,000 searches

Social media creates trends out of words. “Once authentic conversations and personal interactions began to feature on the internet and in messaging and on microblogging platforms, language novelties, slang and faddish usages cross over from a private realm into the global public domain.”

The latest slang and new language remain visible, audible and immediately available to share. Obscure or exotic terms might quickly catch on and become viral favorites, spreading in some cases across the anglosphere more rapidly than print, broadcast or word-of-mouth transmission.

The use of this language as an identity marker in an intensely competitive digital ecosystem means that the Gen Alpha cohort now ridicule Gen Z usages as being out-of- date, while Gen Z is still deriding millennials for their old-fashioned vocabulary

One of the latest features of online wordplay is the elevating of an older concept or cliche into a teasing provocation or pretense at new insights.

Tirlok Aggarwal

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Educationist/Administrator/Editor/Author/Speaker
Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.

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