Collins names 'mogging' word of the year as Gen Z usage surges 210%
The slang term meaning to outshine others saw a 210% usage spike in 2026, according to Collins Dictionary.
Mogging, the slang term for outshining or dominating others, has been named Collins English Dictionary’s word of the year. According to the Daily Mail [1], the selection follows a 210 per cent increase in the word's usage among Generation Z and Generation Alpha in 2026. The term, often used as a playful insult or compliment, is defined as the act of surpassing someone else in appearance or presence.
The Independent reported [2] that dictionary experts selected the term after monitoring a 27-billion-word database, which includes social media sources. Alex Beecroft, the managing director of Collins, stated that the choice demonstrates how "each generation leaves its mark on language." He noted that Gen Z and Gen Alpha have adopted the word as humorous slang, effectively "mogging" the rest of the population.
The word’s rise has been championed by former Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg. The Daily Mail [1] noted that despite having no etymological link to his surname, Sir Jacob described the award as "excellent news" that will "transmogrify our vocabulary." He quipped that it is "mognificent" and predicted the portmanteau would be 2027’s winner. The term’s visibility also increased after young attendees at the Conservative Party conference were spotted wearing badges bearing the word.
Mogging beat out several other high-profile terms for the top spot. The Daily Mail [1] reported that "Manchesterism," describing the political philosophy of Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and "carspreading," referring to the increasing size of vehicles, were close contenders. The Independent [2] added that "friendslop," a type of low-budget indie video game, and "fricy," describing food that is both fruity and spicy, were also on the shortlist.
The decision highlights a trend of youth-led linguistic shifts. Last year, Collins chose "vibe coding" to describe using AI to generate code. However, not all entries are positive; The Independent [2] highlighted "P(doom)," a term estimating the probability of AI causing civilisational collapse, and "ghost jobs," which describes vacancies advertised without intent to hire. The dictionary’s analysis aims to capture the evolving nature of English, with mogging serving as a prime example of how digital communities reshape mainstream discourse.
Sources
This article is based on reporting by the outlets below.
- Daily Mail: Mogging outshines the competition to be named Collins Dictionary's word of the year
- The Independent: Collins Dictionary chooses 'mogging' as its 2026 word of the year
