Brainrot
Mental deterioration from consuming too much chaotic internet content — also the content itself. Oxford's Word of the Year 2024.
Definition
Brainrot (or brain rot) means the feeling that your brain got worse from too much chaotic, low-effort internet content — and also labels that content itself (Skibidi Toilet, endless meme spam, etc.). People say 'I have brainrot' self-deprecatingly after doomscrolling absurdist TikToks, or call a clip 'pure brainrot.' Oxford's 2024 Word of the Year definition: supposed mental/intellectual decline from overconsuming trivial or unchallenging material.
History
The phrase 'brain rot' predates the internet — Henry David Thoreau used it in Walden (1854) to criticise shallow thinking. Modern internet usage surged with short-form video and algorithmic feeds in the early 2020s. By 2023–2024, Gen Alpha and Gen Z were self-diagnosing 'brainrot' after Skibidi Toilet, Italian brainrot characters, and endless meme spam. Oxford University Press named 'brain rot' its Word of the Year for 2024, citing a reported ~230% year-over-year rise in usage across English corpora — defining it as perceived intellectual decline from overconsuming trivial online material.
Cultural scores
Editorial estimates of cultural weight — Current Popularity tracks how much people are posting about this now, not historical fame.
Current Popularity = how actively people are posting about this today. Influence = lasting footprint. Cringe = online reception. Brainrot = absurdist energy. How scoring works
Examples
- “I watched Skibidi Toilet for a whole hour — my brainrot is terminal.”
- “This TikTok is pure brainrot and I've watched it fifteen times.”
- “I would not say that this is brainrot, but you probaby should not watch it.”
Related entries
Culturally linked — not random recommendations.
Tung Tung Tung Sahur
MemeThe viral Indonesian Ramadan call — a drumming rhythm and the word 'sahur' mashed into one of 2025's most widely remixed audio memes.
Gyatt
SlangInternet slang for an exaggerated reaction to someone's butt — also used as a noun for a curvy backside.
NPC
SlangCalling someone an NPC means they seem scripted, basic, or incapable of original thought — like a background video-game character.
Rizz
SlangShort for charisma — specifically someone's ability to flirt, charm, or attract romantic interest.
Sigma
SlangA 'lone wolf' male archetype who rejects the alpha/beta social hierarchy — now mostly used ironically as a meme.
Italian Brainrot
MemeAI-generated hybrid creatures with rhyming pseudo-Italian names and TTS narration — TikTok's surreal 2025 brainrot wave.
References
Sources behind this entry. Prefer primary reporting and established culture archives over rumor.