Oxford Dictionaries named 'brain rot' Word of the Year, highlighting concern over mental decline from trivial online content.

In 2024, Oxford University Press selected "brain rot" as its Word of the Year, marking a 230% increase in usage from the previous year. The term refers to the perceived decline in mental or intellectual state due to consuming trivial or unchallenging online content. First used in 1854 by Henry David Thoreau in "Walden," the term has gained new relevance in the digital age, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of excessive internet use on mental wellbeing.

4 months ago
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