Oxford University Press has announced “brain rot” as its word of the year for 2024.

The publishing house says “brain rot” was selected through consultation with its language experts and a public vote involving more than 37,000 participants.

So, what does “brain rot” mean? According to the Oxford Dictionary, “brain rot” refers to the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also: something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration.”

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Oxford University Press noted that the term was first recorded in 1854. Henry David Thoreau’s book “Walden” includes a reference to “brain rot”:

“While England endeavours to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavour to cure the brain-rot – which prevails so much more widely and fatally?”

In the digital age, the term has gained renewed popularity. Oxford University Press stated that usage of the term increased by 230% over the past year.

“Brain rot” was also a finalist for Dictionary.com’s word of the year. However, the online dictionary ultimately chose “demure.”