Gen Z and Gen Alpha are changing the world, and also the English Language. From selfie to rizz, one phrase at a time.
Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2024, brain rot, feels like a painfully accurate snapshot of the times we’re living in. It’s not exactly a brand-new term, but this year, it’s become the go-to way to describe that mental mushiness we all feel after hours of doom-scrolling or putting off actual work. It was first used in 1854 in Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. The use of the term “brain rot” has since increased significantly, rising by a staggering 230% between 2023 and 2024. ” It’s the same vibe as ‘bed rot’—where you’re just lying there, marinating in your own laziness—or even ‘skibidi toilet’, proving that viral absurdity now doubles as cultural commentary.
The Humorous Usage
Once a niche term, “brain rot” is now commonly used to highlight the mind-numbing effects of too much low-quality content in a comical or self-deprecating way. So, if you’re watching too much trash television or playing video games, you might have been “brain rotting!” The word is also strongly associated with online memes, such as the strange “only in Ohio” memes and Alexey Gerasimov’s viral Skibidi Toilet video series. These have contributed to a new “brain rot language.” Yes, the rumours are true; Gen Z and Gen Alpha are creating a new language, and the world can only watch in horror and mild amusement as they do so.
Roots and Revival
Initially, Henry David Thoreau used the word to compare an alleged loss in society’s intelligence with the potato epidemic that was causing famine and hardship throughout Europe.
He expressed his frustration saying, “While England tries to cure the potato rot, will not any attempt be made to cure the brain-rot, which prevails so much more widely and fatally?”
The American Philosopher would be disappointed to know that the rot is still prevalent in society today. Furthermore, the term has gained new significance in the digital age. It became especially prominent on platforms like TikTok, where Gen Z and Gen Alpha communities popularised it. In the past year, it has gained popularity in mainstream journalism, reflecting public concerns about the consequences of excessive digital content consumption.
Read more: What is the ‘Chill Guy’ Meme and Why is it Trending
However, Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, commented that the selection of “brain rot” as Word of the Year reflects a growing self-awareness among younger generations about the harmful impact of social media, a phenomenon they have inherited. This term encapsulates a playful yet insightful commentary on the modern digital experience.
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