Despite being invented long before the turn of the millennium, the Internet has changed beyond recognition in the last few years.
What was once only accessible from old, clunky computers via dial-up modems is now just a few clicks away from people on the other side of the world, paving the way for the creation of weird and wonderful online subcultures.
From Goblin Mode to Mentee B, when it comes to language trends, the internet really is the gift that keeps on giving.
And this sub-dialect of English seems to be continually evolving in real time before our eyes, with the latest trend being the phenomenon of “brain rot.”
Thanks to platforms like Reddit and TikTok, internet jargon spreads quickly. (Getty Stock Images)
What is “brain rot”?
Brain decline is thought to be a symptom of excessive internet use, with the claim being that chronic online living is causing an overall decline in the brain.
Simply put, our brains’ attention spans have been shortened to a 60-second loop of a TikTok video.
This isn’t to say we should despise every word that originated in the dark depths of the internet — after all, phrases like “yeet” and “metaverse” are now in the Merriam-Webster dictionary — but at this point, it feels like Gen Z is just mocking us with their slang.
TikToker Joel Cave explained the phenomenon in a recent post: “One of the easiest ways to tell if social media is ruining someone’s brain is to see how frequently they reference internet jargon.”
“If you’re someone who does that, maybe it’s best to put your phone down for a while and go outside,” he added.
Worried that you might be at risk for brain deterioration? Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of all the words and phrases you should avoid saying.
The Ritz
Literally a contraction of the word charisma, “rizz” is often used in a romantic sense to describe someone who has magnetic appeal — essentially a kind of charm that draws people in and inspires devotion.
Luxmax
It is used to describe someone who is actively working to maximize their physical potential by altering their appearance.
The phrase was originally confined to obscure internet forums but has since gained popularity on TikTok.
Skip bidi
Originating from Alexei Gerasimov’s YouTube webseries “Skibidi Toilet,” the word “skibidi” literally means nothing and is often used to mark the beginning of a completely ridiculous conversation.
How many of these phrases do you know? (Getty Stock Images)
Grind Set
It is a blend of effort and mindset, and those who are effort-focused are obsessed with working hard and struggling to achieve success.
Non-PC
An acronym for “Non Player Character”, NPC is a pejorative way of describing someone who has no personality of their own, lacks independent thought, and simply blindly follows trends.
Pogger
This phrase originated from Twitch and is apparently used to express excitement or enthusiasm about something.
But honestly, if I made that up on the spot, you wouldn’t have noticed.
If the above words aren’t enough to tire your brain out yet, you can find a more comprehensive list of brain-rotting terms in this Reddit thread: The words listed are aptly summed up by this comment: “Seriously, I think I’ve transcended into another realm just by reading this.”
