The Oxford English Dictionary has announced “brain rot” as its Word of the Year for 2024, highlighting the growing influence of internet slang in the linguistic landscape. This nomination marks a continuation of a trend where digital vernacular significantly shapes our understanding of contemporary culture.
Each year, leading dictionaries and language organizations select a term that encapsulates the essence of the preceding year. In November 2024, the Oxford Dictionary attributed significant social media engagement to “brain rot,” making it a fitting choice for this recognition.
Notable Internet Slang Word of the Year Selections
Since the surge of technology in the late 2000s, numerous terms tied to the internet and digital culture have been heralded as Words of the Year by prominent lexicons. Below, we explore a few noteworthy selections from past years:
1. Tweet (2009)
In 2009, “Tweet” gained recognition as the American Dialect Society’s Word of the Year, encapsulating the essence of conveying thoughts through brief posts on Twitter, now rebranded as X.
2. App (2010)
As mobile technology flourished in the early 2010s, the American Dialect Society honored “app,” referring to software applications, as its Word of the Year in 2010, signifying a shift in how we engage with technology.
3. #Hashtag (2012)
With the explosion of social media, the term “#hashtag” transitioned from tech jargon to a mainstream fixture. Recognized as Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society in 2012, hashtags have become integral to social media communication.
4. Selfie (2013)
The Oxford English Dictionary named “selfie” as its Word of the Year in 2013. This term describes the popular practice of self-photographing, especially with front-facing cameras, and remains prevalent in 2024.
5. Photobomb (2014)
“Photobomb,” referring to the playful act of intruding into someone else’s photo, was awarded Collins English Dictionary’s Word of the Year in 2014, illustrating the humorous side of social interactions in the digital age.
6. Binge-watch (2015)
With Netflix’s dominance in the 2010s, the term “binge-watching” became widely used, describing the act of consuming multiple episodes of a series in one sitting. The Oxford English Dictionary selected it as Word of the Year in 2015, reflecting changing viewing habits.
7. Face with Tears of Joy Emoji (2015)
In a groundbreaking move, the Oxford English Dictionary recognized the ‘Face with Tears of Joy’ emoji as the Word of the Year for 2015, noting its emblematic representation of the emotional state prevalent that year.
8. Goblin Mode (2022)
The Oxford English Dictionary’s choice for Word of the Year in 2022 was “goblin mode,” a term describing indulgent, carefree behavior. Although it surfaced on Twitter in 2009, it surged in popularity during 2022.
9. Rizz (2023)
The term “rizz,” which describes charm or charisma in romantic pursuits, went viral thanks in part to Kai Cenat’s influence. It earned the Oxford English Dictionary’s recognition as Word of the Year in 2023, epitomizing the slang culture prevalent on platforms like TikTok.
10. Brat (2024)
“Brat” has been named Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2024, denoting a confident and hedonistic persona. The term gained traction largely due to British singer Charli XCX, who defined it as embodying a playful and carefree attitude.
11. Brain Rot (2024)
Oxford English Dictionary’s ‘Word of the Year’ for 2024, “brain rot,”refers to cognitive fatigue induced by excessive screen time, especially when consuming low-quality digital content. Usage of this term surged by 230% between 2023 and 2024, underlining increasing awareness of its implications.
“Brain rot”has been named Oxford University 2024 word of the year pic.twitter.com/ixHX1SMp8r
— dexerto (@dexerto) December 2, 2024
12. Demure (2024)
Dictionary.com has crowned “demure” as its Word of the Year for 2024, thanks to lifestyle influencer Jools Lebron’s viral catchphrase, “very demure, very mindful.” While traditionally defined as reserved or modest, its resurgence has sparked a new trend across social media platforms.
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