CultureJuly 17, 2026
earworm
/ˈɪər.wɜːrm/
Definition
A catchy song or melody that remains persistently stuck in one's mind, often repeating involuntarily.
Etymology
The word is a literal translation of the German word 'Ohrwurm,' which was coined to describe the sensation of a tune burrowing into the brain like a worm. It entered common English usage in the late 20th century to describe songs with high, repetitive catchiness.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe 'The Puerto Rico Song,' which became a viral success precisely because its infectious melody is impossible for listeners to get out of their heads. This quality of being a persistent 'earworm' helped the track dominate social media trends and TikTok.
Meet the man behind that viral Puerto Rico song all over your social feeds
Read the full article ↗SMH.com.au