‘Brain Rot’ Crowned Oxford’s Word of the Year: TikTok Trend Highlights Concerns of the Digital Age

A 19th-century concept first written about by Henry David Thoreau in ‘Walden’ trended high on the social media app.

Courtesy of Oxford English Dictionary
Brain rot was voted "word of the year for 2024," according to the publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary. Courtesy of Oxford English Dictionary

Brain rot, a term that has gained popularity on Tiktok, was voted “word of the year for 2024,” according to the publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Have an account? Log In

To continue reading, please select:

Limited Access

Enter your email to read for FREE

Get 1 FREE article

Continue with
or
Unlimited Access

Join the Sun for a PENNY A DAY

$0.01/day for 60 days

Cancel anytime

100% ad free experience

Unlimited article and commenting access

Full annual dues ($120) billed after 60 days

By continuing you agree to our
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Advertisement
The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use