Oxford Dictionary named brain rot word of the year

By Alimat Aliyeva

According to the results of a public vote, which attracted more than 37,000 participants, the Oxford Dictionary has declared "brain rot" the word of the year, Azernews reports.

Language experts compiled a list of six words that reflect the moods and conversations shaping the past year.

This year, "brain rot" has gained new prominence as a term used to describe the growing concern over the effects of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media. The frequency of use of the term surged by 230 percent between 2023 and 2024.

The term "brain rot" was first used in 1854 by Henry David Thoreau in his book Walden, where he describes his experience of leading a simple life in nature. In the book, Thoreau criticizes society's tendency to favor simplistic ideas over more complex, nuanced ones, viewing this as a sign of intellectual and mental decline.

In modern usage, "brain rot" refers to the detrimental impact that an overconsumption of shallow, sensationalist, or misleading content on the internet can have on an individual's cognitive abilities, attention span, and overall mental health. The rise of social media, where viral but often meaningless or harmful content can dominate users' feeds, has contributed to the growing concern about "brain rot" in today's digital age.

Interestingly, the term highlights the ongoing debate around the effects of technology on our minds. Experts warn that a constant bombardment of trivial or distorted information may lead to a decline in critical thinking and deep learning. In response, movements advocating for digital detoxes, mindfulness, and media literacy have become more popular, as people seek ways to combat the negative effects of an overstimulating digital environment.