Collins Dictionary has named “mogging” its Word of the Year 2026, recognising the growing influence of internet slang and younger generations on the English language. The term, popular among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, refers to outshining, outperforming or upstaging someone or something. It is frequently used on social media to describe situations in which someone appears more attractive, stylish, confident or impressive than another person. Dr Mahesh Krishna, Assistant Professor of English at the Department of Language, Culture and Society, SRMIST Kattankulathur, explained that the word essentially means to “outshine someone” or “show someone up”. Although widely associated with contemporary internet culture, “mogging” has a longer history. It is believed to have originated from the acronym AMOG, meaning “alpha male of the group”, and emerged around 2016 in bodybuilding communities. The expression subsequently spread through online spaces before becoming more widely used as a verb.  According to Collins Dictionary, usage of the term increased by 210% during 2026, reflecting its growing presence in online conversations. The dictionary’s experts monitor a database containing approximately 27 billion words, including material from social media, to identify emerging language trends. The word is now often used humorously or ironically in everyday digital conversations. Someone might say they were “mogged” by a friend’s outfit, appearance or performance. Its selection highlights how social media and younger users continue to influence mainstream vocabulary, transforming expressions that once circulated within niche online communities into widely recognised slang.

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