We use words to express our feelings and thoughts. Each language is enriched by the people who use it. In the case of English, every year, a word is picked with the motive to reflect a defining theme from the past 12 months. It is called a word of the year.
This year, four words have gained prominence as they reflect the mood of the people who use them. These words are mostly chosen based on social media trends, data analysis, global events, public votes, and endorsements by celebrities. Brain Rot, Demure, Brat, and Manifest are the four Words of 2024.
Oxford Dictionary has chosen the word ‘Brain Rot‘ as the word of the year. It refers to the deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state. The word ‘Brain Rot’ denotes a state of mind, especially due to overconsumption, of material (particularly online content) considered trivial or unchallenging. The modern style of living makes a person easily swayed by social media. The word ‘Brain Rot’ reflects the growing influence of social media on personal lives.
The word ‘Demure‘ has been hailed as the word of the year by Dictionary.com. Normally, the word ‘demure’ is used to describe people who are reserved or modest. But the new usage refers to having a refined and sophisticated appearance or behavior with regard to one’s surroundings.
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The Collins Dictionary has named ‘brat‘ its word of the year for 2024. It means someone who has a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude. The Dictionary was inspired by the Charlie XCX album, ‘Brat’. It has rightly credited the artist for making the term largely popular.
Like if winter comes, can spring be far behind, if Oxford comes into the limelight, can Cambridge be far behind. The Brain Rot was declared a word of the year 2024 by Oxford. Cambridge too came with another word, Manifest as the most prominent word of 2024. Cambridge Dictionary has picked ‘Manifest’ as the word of the closing year. The term refers to imagining something you want with the hope and belief that doing so will make it come true. Many celebrities including Dua Lipa have endorsed ‘Manifest’ as a global wellness trend.
Brain Rot, Demure, Brat, and Manifest are the four popular words of the year 2024. These words have further enriched English as a global language of communication during the year that is about to close. These words reflect the hopes, aspirations, anxieties, and fears of a world full of chaos and confusion. They also beckon a new era of social media that will mould English and other languages.
