What Is Brain Rot, Oxford's Word Of The Year
By: EjazUlHaqBhat
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"Brain Rot" has been declared word of the year for 2024 by Oxford University Press
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More than 37,000 people participated in the public vote, choosing from a shortlist of six contenders
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Brain rot was chosen over five other finalists: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore
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Brain rot is defined as "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"
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Simply put, it could be the result of doom-scrolling, and it could happen to anybody, including you
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According to a report, Oxford University Press noted that the term gained traction throughout 2024
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It became synonymous with worries about the impact of excessive engagement with low-quality online content, especially on social media platforms
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The term was reportedly first recorded in 1854 in the book Walden by Henry David Thoreau
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The piece is about the author's experience of "living a simple lifestyle in the natural world". Over the past few centuries, that meaning has changed drastically
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Oxford University Press factored in public input, social commentary, and analysis before the announcement was made on Monday
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