So, apparently, dictionaries have been playing kingmaker for words, declaring some  the Word of the Year. And, I’ve been opining on them for the last decade. Why not?

For 2024, brace yourselves for “brain rot” and “demure.” The first one I get—because let’s be honest, we’re all a little brain-rotted these days. But demure? I have questions. I remember it’s old use.

Let’s start with brain rot. This one, believe it or not, feels just right for the world we’re living in. It refers to that mental fog that creeps in after binging on too much social media, or too many hours of mind-numbing TV. As a psychologist, I’d say this is one of the more spot-on linguistic trends I’ve seen in a while. I’ve been using “brain rot” long before it hit the spotlight to describe exactly what happens when you feed your mind a steady diet of junk content. I guess the world’s finally catching on!

Now, demure is a totally different story. This word used to have a pretty clear, vintage meaning—think modest, reserved, maybe a bit shy. Suddenly, it’s everywhere, but it feels like no one quite knows what to do with it. I mean, someone calls a statement outfit “demure,” and I’m over here wondering if we’re even speaking the same language anymore. You don’t wear neon-green sequins and then call it demure. At least not in the Bronx, where I grew up.

It’s kind of funny that I’ve been out here using these terms for years in their original context, and now they’re “trendy.” I feel like the wise old sage who’s been speaking ancient truths, only for the world to catch up. But hey, if brain rot and demure are getting their moments in the sun, I can’t wait to see what’s next. Maybe we’ll finally give words like burnout another go? (Because, trust me, that one hasn’t left us yet!)

To all the future Words of the Year, I’ve already got my dictionary open. Just waiting for the rest of the world to catch up again.