Word of the Year 2024: Brain Rot
Oxford Dictionary declares “Brain Rot” to be the word of the year 2024! This is what it means:
If we’ve been hearing the kids use the word “brain rot” in everyday conversation with their friends (or sometimes us) then, they’re usually referring to a content that’s fun but absolutely brainless. The content can be made by big companies and content creators alike. We always have this idea that their content is well-thought of but there are just days that they just put out whatever they thought of on the spot. Thus, brain rot — or what the Oxford Dictionary declares as Word of the Year 2024.
But there are also cases when its the internet that turns it into brain rot.
The meaning of brain rot and what it does
Brain rot is a slang term that’s similar to “brain fart,” with the difference being from where its coming from. Brain fart is a term we use to describe an idea that we feel isn’t up to par with our usual. We say something like, “Oh this is probably just a brain fart but,…” or “Okay, that’s a brain fart. Scrap that.” Or at least expressions to that degree. Sometimes, we also use the term to describe our most impulsive thoughts. Like, the sudden urge to go to our favorite houseware store or the sudden craving for a cookie.
Brain rot, on the other hand, is when we look at the content and our brain either just stops because it can’t understand or it’s too pointless to think too hard. The expression “try not to think too hard about it” applies specifically to these kinds of content. Usually, the memes that our kids (and even us) love watching, scrolling, and listening to are the brain rot. Unfortunately, it also causes some side effects like decreased attention span and mental exhaustion.
But if the Oxford Dictionary declared “brain rot” word of the year for 2024, does it mean they can use it in formal essays or their school work?
Some teachers, particularly the younger ones, don’t mind it. Or as the kids say, “they’re pretty chill about it.” On the other hand, older teachers (or at least those who are also nuts for grammar and language) may complain and lump the word with other slang words like skibidi or something.
Maybe not for formal engagements but for parenting, the language works
Communication has always been a big thing in parenting. That doesn’t just mean body language but verbal as well. English, because of social media and technology, has constantly been evolving and there are a lot of words that do not translate into another language well. Kilig is one of the few Filipino words that have been accepted into the dictionary because it couldn’t be summed up in one English word.
Before we start widely using the words kids say on the internet, always take the precaution to research its origins. It doesn’t always connect right away but at least we’ll know what they mean. Sure, it’s funny to watch the kids cringe and die (on the inside) whenever we use their generation’s slang. But we can all agree that brain rot certainly makes more sense than the others!
More about kids and the internet?
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