The slang term 'mogging,' defined as the act of dominating or outshining others, has been named the Collins English Dictionary's word of the year for 2026. The word saw a 210% increase in usage throughout the year, surpassing other contenders such as 'carspreading' and 'Manchesterism.'
Lexicographers at Collins selected 'mogging' after closely monitoring its increasing prevalence in online language through the Collins Corpus database. Described as fast-growing slang among Generation Z and Generation Alpha, the term is distinct from 'mugging' and has evolved from its earlier association with the acronym AMOG (Alpha Male of the Group) into a versatile, playful insult or compliment.
The word gained significant public attention following its appearance on badges worn by young attendees at last month's Conservative Party conference. Former Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, whose surname shares a phonetic resemblance, commented on the win, calling it 'excellent news' that would 'transmogrify our vocabulary.'
Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins Dictionary, noted that 'mogging's' selection reflects how younger generations are shaping 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!" Beecroft stated. "The selection of 'mogging' as Collins' word of the year shows how each generation leaves its mark on language."
Other notable words considered for 2026 included 'carspreading,' a term for a pause in play during football matches, and 'Manchesterism,' which saw increased usage following the appointment of Andy Burnham, who is from Manchester, as Prime Minister. The list also featured 'friendslop' (a cooperative independent video game), 'fricy' (foods or drinks that are both fruity and spicy), and 'bixie' (a women's haircut between a pixie and a bob).
Previous Collins words of the year highlight the influence of digital culture. In 2025, 'vibe coding,' defined as using AI to generate computer code, was chosen. Other terms from that year included 'biohacking' (altering one's body to improve health), 'clanker' (a derogatory term for computers or AI, popularized by Star Wars: The Clone Wars), 'glaze' (excessive or undeserved flattery), and 'aura farming' (deliberately cultivating a cool persona).