Collins Dictionary has selected “mogging” as its word of the year for 2026, announcing the choice on November 3. The slang expression describes outshining or outperforming another person, often through appearance, confidence or achievement.
The publisher traces its roots to bodybuilding discussions around 2016. It has since moved into wider youth vocabulary, where it can be used playfully about everything from clothes to everyday accomplishments. Collins says that broader use helped distinguish this year’s winner from a term confined to one online community.
Associated Press reported that usage rose by 210 per cent over the past year. Collins’s language specialists track a database of more than 27 billion words drawn from sources including websites, books and social media.
The shortlist also captured changing tastes and digital habits. “Fricy” combines fruity and spicy flavours, “bixie” describes a hairstyle between a bob and a pixie cut, and “friendslop” refers to inexpensive multiplayer games designed for playing together.
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