“Brain Rot” has been announced as Oxford’s word for 2024, at a time of intense concern about the constant scrolling of social media with mind-numbing content.

The phrase defined as “the worsening of a person’s mental or mental condition, especially as a result of overconsumption of material (now mainly online content) that is considered trivial or non-challenging”saw a 230% increase in usage within a year.

More than 37,000 people voted among a list of six words compiled by Oxford University Press, which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, one of the oldest dictionaries on the planet that is updated every year with terms that are becoming part of everyday life around the world.

Oxford Languages ​​chairman Casper Grathwol highlighted that the shortlist for 2024 reflected a “snapshot of the subjects that have piqued our interest and imagination and made us talk about them”.

According to Oxford University Press, the term “became better known in 2024 as a term used to capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content especially on social media”. However, as the Guardian reports its first recorded use was in Henry David Thoreau’s book ‘Walden’ in 1854.

“‘Brain Rot’ speaks to one of the perceived dangers of online activity and how we use our free time. It’s no surprise that so many voters embraced the term, supporting it as our choice this year.”said Grathwohl, adding: “I also find it fascinating that the word has been adopted by both Generation Z and Generation Alpha, who are largely responsible for using and creating the digital content the term refers to.”

It is noted that in 2023 the “Rizz” (romantic attraction, or fascination) was the word of the year, in 2021 at the height of the pandemic the word “Vax” (vaccine, vaccination), in 2019 the phrase “Climate Emergency” (climate emergency), while in 2015 the emoji crying with laughter became the only symbol to receive the award.