Collins English Dictionary has announced its 2026 Word of the Year: mogging. The term, which means outperforming or outshining someone, has seen a 210% surge in usage over the past year, according to the dictionary's lexicographers.
Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins, said in a statement: “The selection of ‘mogging’ as Collins’ word of the year shows how each generation leaves its mark on language. It’s a great example of how Gen Z and Gen Alpha have adopted a word and turned it into humorous slang, making the language their own and ‘mogging’ the rest of us.”
While the word is now used playfully, its origins are darker. It traces back to the acronym AMOG, meaning “Alpha Male of the Group,” and was once associated with bodybuilding forums and the manosphere—a network of online communities promoting aggressive masculinity and anti-feminism. Today, younger generations have largely stripped it of those toxic connotations, using it in teasing or ironic contexts.
From toxic roots to mainstream slang
The evolution of “mogging” mirrors that of Dictionary.com's 2026 Word of the Year, “maxxing”, which also has roots in online self-improvement culture. While “looksmaxxing” focuses on optimizing one's appearance, “mogging” is inherently comparative—it implies outclassing someone else.
In everyday usage, if a friend tells you you're “mogging everyone in this room,” it's a compliment. The word functions as a noun but can also be used as a suffix, giving rise to variations like “stylemogging,” “carmogging,” and “lifemogging”—the latter meaning leading a more impressive life than others.
Despite its playful tone, a sense of hierarchy persists. As Beecroft noted, the word's adoption shows how language evolves, but the underlying competitive edge remains.
“Mogging” beat out other contenders for the Collins title, including “Manchesterism” (associated with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham), “carspreading” (the trend of automakers making vehicles larger), and “hydration break” (popularized during this year's controversial World Cup).
The choice reflects broader trends in digital culture, where online communities increasingly shape mainstream vocabulary. Similar phenomena have been observed across Europe, from Berlin's tech scene to Parisian social media circles, as English-language slang spreads through platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
For linguists, the rise of “mogging” highlights how quickly internet subcultures can influence formal dictionaries. Collins has been selecting a Word of the Year since 2013, with previous picks including “permacrisis,” “AI,” and “Brat.”
As the term continues to gain traction, it remains to be seen whether its playful usage will outlast its darker origins. For now, it seems “mogging” is here to stay—at least until the next viral slang emerges.
