🧠 "Brain Rot" Crowned Oxford Word of the Year – Because You Can’t Stop Doomscrolling

🧠 Oxford’s Word of the Year: “Brain Rot” – The Symptom of Our Scrolling Addiction

Charlotte, NC – Are your thumbs sore from scrolling? Feeling that post-binge fog after inhaling an entire Netflix series? Congratulations—you’ve officially got “brain rot,” the Oxford English Dictionary’s 2024 Word of the Year. It’s the perfect term for our era of overconsumption, mental fatigue, and infinite distractions.

This isn’t just slang—it’s science. Usage of “brain rot” surged 230% from 2023 to 2024, cementing its place in the cultural lexicon. Casper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages, called it “the rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology.” Translation? We’re all fried, and it’s our screens’ fault.

Born in 1854 in Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, “brain rot” was described initially as mental stagnation. But in 2024, the term’s new life is all about the sludge that fills your brain after doomscrolling through TikTok, Instagram, and a news feed that never stops refreshing. The irony? We love it and hate it all at once.

The Contenders: Language in a World Gone Digital

While “brain rot” took the throne, other contenders didn’t pull punches. Collins Dictionary anointed “brat” as its word of the year, riding the wave of Charli XCX’s bratcore revolution. Across the globe, Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary picked “enshittification,” a biting critique of how online platforms implode under corporate greed.

This trend isn’t subtle: the internet isn’t just dominating our lives—it’s mutating our language. We’re not just talking in memes; we’re living them. Words like “brat” and “brain rot” are more than slang; they’re milemarkers of a culture grappling with connection and collapse.

What “Brain Rot” Means for Charlotte

Charlotte, you’re not immune. Between your perfectly curated South End brunch snaps and the relentless scroll through Panthers Twitter, the Queen City is no stranger to the digital grind. But here’s the thing: Charlotteans know how to unplug, regroup, and fight back with a bit of grit. When brain rot sets in, it’s time to look up and reconnect with our community (or at least grab a coffee at Amélie’s and pretend to).

Shoutout to Glory Days Apparel

Speaking of reconnecting, let’s give it up for Glory Days Apparel, our sponsor and Charlotte’s sartorial MVP. Whether you’re owning your nostalgia in one of their iconic tees or flexing some hometown pride, their threads are wearable conversation starters. If brain rot’s got you feeling foggy, Glory Days will bring you back to your roots—one shirt at a time. 🙌

About The Queen City Express

At The Queen City Express, we’re Charlotte’s antidote to brain rot. Our stories don’t just skim the surface; they dig in, delivering thoughtful, privacy-first journalism that connects the dots on what matters in Queen City. From business wins to cultural deep dives, we’ve got it all.

So bookmark us, read on, and keep scrolling responsibly. After all, your brain deserves better than clickbait. And if you’re sipping a local brew while diving into our latest story, know: you’re doing Charlotte proud.

Jack Beckett
Fueling Charlotte’s stories with equal parts coffee and sass ☕. My mug is always full, and so is my inbox with Queen City leads.