Collins Dictionary names Gen Z slang 'mogging', meaning to outshine someone, as its 2026 word of the year
From the Newshound archive · first published 4 November 2026.
Collins Dictionary picked 'mogging' — slang for outshining or outperforming someone — as its word of the year after usage surged 210% in 2026. Alex Beecroft, Collins managing director, credited Gen Z and Gen Alpha with turning the word into "humorous slang" that had entered mainstream language. The term originated in the manosphere, adopted by so-called 'looksmaxxers' to boast about physical superiority.
Collins monitors a 27-billion-word database drawn from social media to compile its annual list.
'P(doom)' — the estimated probability that AI will destroy human civilisation — also made the 2026 list.
Other new entries include 'ghost jobs' (advertised vacancies with no intention to hire) and 'friendslop' (low-budget games played among friends).