OUP shortlists for Word of the Year
The first contender is "brain rot", which the site defines as "supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging". If you're up to date with the internet's latest trends and/or lingo, you should know that you are infected by brain rot.
The second word is one that has been a top indicator of brain rot levels across social media users. This is none other than "demure". According to Oxford, demure is an adjective describing a person who is "reserved or restrained in appearance". The word was popularised by TikTok user Jools Lebron who coined the phrase "very demure, very mindful".
Prepare yourself for a whiplash because the third contender is "dynamic pricing". As per Oxford, this means "the practice of varying the price for a product or service to reflect changing market conditions". As perplexing as this addition is, Oxford justifies it by referring to the spike in concert ticket prices, which eager fans easily fall for.
Next is "lore", which is "a body of (supposed) facts, background information, and anecdotes relating to someone or something, regarded as knowledge required for full understanding or informed discussion of the subject in question". One thing we all know about being chronically online is that every like-minded social media user tends to fish for virality by dropping lore that is sure to get the internet talking.
The next contender, "romantasy", is an exclusive BookTok win. It is defined as "a genre of fiction combining elements of romantic fiction and fantasy", with fantasy being associated with magic and the supernatural.
And finally, we have "slop", which is referred to as low-quality AI-generated content that is "distributed online in an indiscriminate or intrusive way".
With a voting poll up on OUP's website, you can secure your pick now!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Justin Timberlake's tour falling apart in real time
Justin Timberlake is under fire after a series of live performances on his latest tour left fans disappointed, confused, and even concerned. A viral video from a Paris show triggered the wave of criticism, with viewers accusing the pop star of barely participating in his own concert. In the clip, Timberlake can be seen standing almost motionless while the crowd sings most of the lyrics. Social media erupted, with Reddit threads and TikTok comments mocking the singer's apparent detachment. One user quipped, 'This performance could have been an email,' while another compared it to Airbnb: 'You pay a cleaning fee and still do the cleaning, same here, you buy a ticket and do the singing.' Critics labelled the tour the 'Justin Timberlake karaoke experience,' suggesting his backup singers were carrying the show. Others questioned whether he was even singing live at all, with comments noting the microphone was often on the floor or appeared to be off entirely. What started as jokes has escalated into speculation about Timberlake's health. Some users questioned whether he might be on vocal rest or dealing with undisclosed medical issues. One fan urged honesty, saying, 'If he can't perform, he should cancel the tour, this is manipulative.' Fans who have followed Timberlake since the early 2000s expressed heartbreak over the change. 'In 2014, he was electric on stage. Now it feels like he's just fulfilling a contract. The spark is gone,' one longtime fan wrote. Even casual observers seemed alarmed, with some admitting they were 'genuinely worried.' Despite a lone defence that crowd sing-alongs are common, the consensus online is clear: these performances feel empty, staged, and insincere. Timberlake has yet to respond publicly, but the backlash continues to mount, and so do questions about whether he's up to the demands of this tour.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
James Doakes 'but you can't prove it' meme goes viral and reignites interest in Dexter ahead of reboot
A meme featuring Dexter's Sergeant James Doakes has gone viral across social media in 2025, just as anticipation builds for the upcoming reboot Dexter: Resurrection. Centered around the phrase 'But you can't prove it,' the meme taps into a long-standing fan favorite moment from the original series. When you know there's something weird about Pedro Pascal but you can't prove it — autist (@litteralyme0_) July 23, 2025 The meme originated on September 23, 2024, when Reddit user u/liyah4455 shared an image macro of Doakes driving, captioned, 'How it feels when you're right but you can't prove it.' The post earned over 3,300 upvotes and sparked a broader trend. Portrayed by Erik King, Doakes is known for being the first character to suspect Dexter Morgan's secret life as a serial killer — but despite his suspicions, he was never able to prove it. That struggle for confirmation has become the basis of this humorous meme format. me wondering why Pedro Pascal never has 'anxiety' around his male co-workers — duck (@ExtremeBlitz__) July 23, 2025 watched dexter not knowing this meme was from this series — venus (@sophymorphyl) July 24, 2025 The trend picked up major traction on TikTok in early 2025, where users began pairing serious or suspicious screenshots of Doakes with captions describing moments of silent doubt or personal theories. Popular examples include, 'When bro says he's going to Thailand for the beaches and food, but you know the kind of man he is,' and 'How it feels knowing that one shop is a front for money laundering, but you can't prove it.' As the format gained momentum, it spread from TikTok to other platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, where users continue adapting it to a wide range of relatable situations. As Dexter: Resurrection approaches, fans are revisiting the series through humor, keeping James Doakes' legacy alive in meme culture.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Anthony Mackie re‑creates his viral meme dance on Jimmy Fallon
Marvel star Anthony Mackie brought his signature meme swagger to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week, delighting both fans and Fallon himself. The clip, teased on X ahead of the broadcast, shows Mackie humorously mimicking his own iconic 'hands-on-head' dance—an internet-famous GIF that originated from a 2016 Captain America press junket. The meme took off years ago but rose to fresh popularity on platforms like TikTok and X in early 2025, capturing fans with its infectious energy. Now, the actor's own appearance on Fallon's couch brought that viral moment full circle, as he popped up from his seat and reenacted the exact move with flair. Fallon's reactions—laughter, cheer, and admiration—added to the charm of the moment. 'The meme came full circle and we're here for it 😭🔥 Anthony Mackie stays iconic!' — 𝕄𝕕.𝔸𝕫𝕒𝕞 🇮🇳 محمد اعظم (@tanjirulislam71) July 24, 2025 Anthony Mackie bringing back his iconic meme pose is pure nostalgia and internet gold! 🔥👏 — Emperor (@Madhav1192) July 24, 2025 Anthony Mackie just dropped his iconic meme pose again — and it's still gold 😂 Meanwhile, @dangoXchg is doing the same for data ownership — making the internet fun and fair. — Jejak Kripto (@jejakkripto) July 24, 2025 The surprise recreation has sparked cheers across social media, with comments celebrating Mackie's ability to poke fun at his own internet fame while connecting with fans who originally shared the meme. This on‑air callback cleverly merges Hollywood star power with meme culture, reinforcing how digital moments can transcend platforms—and still light up late-night television. With this stunt, Mackie reminded fans why he's beloved both on screen and online. Whether donning the Falcon suit or shuffling across a late-night couch, Anthony Mackie continues to prove he's got the moves—and the sense of humor—to match.
