Collins Names “Mogging” Word of the Year as Slang Surges in 2026
The term “mogging,” meaning to outshine or dominate, has been crowned Collins’ 2026 word of the year after a 210% usage jump.
“Mogging,” a word used playfully to mean outshining, outperforming or upstaging someone or something, has been named as word of the year by the Collins English Dictionary.
The slang, popular among Generation Z and Generation Alpha both online and in everyday conversation, saw a 210% increase in its usage in 2026, propelling it into mainstream awareness.
Collins’ managing director Alex Beecroft explained that the dictionary’s lexicographers track “how often words are used” and also “analyse patterns of usage” to identify emerging linguistic trends. He added that the selection “shows how each generation leaves its mark on language.”
Beecroft further noted, “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!”
The term is not to be confused with “mugging” or “mugging someone off.” It refers primarily to outshining or dominating someone, most often in looks, and can be used as either a playful put‑down or a compliment depending on context.
“Mogging” is often traced back to the acronym AMOG, standing for Alpha Male of the Group, and has been linked to bodybuilding forums in the mid‑2010s as well as to the manosphere and incel communities. Today, its usage has broadened considerably.
The word appears in “looksmaxxing” communities—online groups where members exchange advice on maximising physical attractiveness—demonstrating its shift from niche subcultures to wider popular use.
Collins, one of the UK’s major dictionary publishers, draws from a range of sources, including social media, to reflect how English evolves in the UK each year. Its previous word of the year for 2025 was “vibe coding,” defined as creating an app or website by describing it to artificial intelligence rather than writing code manually.
Other entries on the dictionary’s 10‑strong shortlist included “ghost job,” describing a position posted with no intention of hiring; “hydration break,” popularised by this year’s World Cup; and “p(doom),” the estimated probability of an AI‑aided collapse of civilisation.
As language continues to be reshaped by digital natives, “mogging” exemplifies the playful, fast‑moving nature of contemporary slang.
