Youth slang has won: the word of 2026 has been recognized with an unexpected meaning

The word mogging can be translated as "to overshadow," "to surpass," or "to look better against others." It is most often used when someone noticeably stands out due to their appearance, style, confidence, or achievements. For example, if one person at a party looks so striking that others are left in their shadow, young people might say that they are mogging everyone. Moreover, today the expression is often used humorously or ironically. As noted on the [official Collins Dictionary website](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/woty?utm_source=chatgpt.com), the word is particularly popular among members of Generation Z and Alpha. They have turned what was once a niche expression into a widespread internet meme. ## From bodybuilding to social media The history of the word turned out to be much more complex than it might seem. It is believed to have originated from the abbreviation AMOG — Alpha Male of the Group, which means "alpha male in the group." Since around 2016, the expression was used in bodybuilding communities to denote the most physically developed and dominant man in the gym. Later, the term spread in online communities related to ideas of male superiority and fierce competition among men. In some of these communities, particular attention was paid to appearance, physical attractiveness, and social status. However, over time, the younger generation redefined the word, making it much less serious. Today, mogging can refer not only to people but also to practically anything. For example, a new smartphone can "overshadow" the previous model, and a successful photograph can outshine all other shots. ## Other words that competed for victory The Collins shortlist included other expressions reflecting modern social trends. Among them: - Ghost jobs — "phantom vacancies" that employers post without intending to hire anyone. - Carspreading — the trend of car manufacturers producing increasingly longer, wider, and heavier vehicles. - Bixie — a trendy haircut that is a cross between a short bob and a pixie. - Firewave — a series of forest or urban fires occurring within a short time frame. - P(doom) — an estimate of the probability that artificial intelligence could lead to the extinction of human civilization. - Fricy — a combination of fruity and spicy flavors in food or drinks. The list of contenders also included expressions related to video games, politics, and sports competitions. ## Why mogging? Collins Managing Director Alex Bikroft explained that the choice of word of the year reflects the influence of new generations on the development of the English language. According to him, young people not only invent new expressions but also change the meanings of existing words, adapting them to their own communication style. In selecting the winner, Collins lexicographers analyze the frequency of word usage and trends in their dissemination. This is done using a vast database containing about 27 billion words from various sources, including social media. The Collins Dictionary has been selecting the word of the year since 2013. Over the years, winners have included expressions that reflected the most significant social and technological changes. For example, in 2023, the word of the year was AI — "artificial intelligence," in 2024 it was brat, related to youth pop culture, and in 2025 it was vibe coding, referring to creating programs using artificial intelligence based on text prompts. This year's choice shows how much internet culture influences modern language. Words that were recently understood only by small online communities are now becoming part of mass communication and making their way into authoritative dictionaries.