By Salma El-Sakka
"Mogging," a slang term meaning to playfully outshine or dominate someone, has been selected as the 2026 word of the year by Collins English Dictionary. The word saw a 210% increase in usage over the past year, driven largely by Generations Z and Alpha both online and in everyday conversation.
Slang term surges 210% in usage
Collins managing director Alex Beecroft said lexicographers track frequency and usage patterns to identify linguistic trends. He noted the selection shows how each generation leaves its mark on language, adding that Gen Z and Gen Alpha have adopted the term and turned it into humorous slang, "mogging" the rest of us.
Origin and evolution
The term traces back to the acronym AMOG (Alpha Male of the Group) and was associated with bodybuilding forums and the manosphere in the mid-2010s. It has since entered mainstream usage as a playful put-down or compliment, often appearing in "looks maxxing" communities where people share advice on maximizing physical attractiveness.
Other shortlisted words
Collins' 2026 shortlist also includes "ghost job" for a posted position with no intention to hire, "hydration break" popularized by the FIFA Men's World Cup, "P(doom)" estimating the probability of an AI-aided civilizational collapse, and "Manchesterism" describing the political approach of Prime Minister Andy Burnham focused on devolving power to regions.
