‘Mogging’ is Collins’ 2026 Word of the Year. Here’s what it means

News“Mogging,” a slang term popular with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is Collins Dictionary’s 2026 Word of the Year. It means outshining or outperforming someone or something. (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesIf someone tells you that you’ve been “mogged,” don’t panic. It’s not quite as bad as it sounds. Collins Dictionary has named”mogging" its 2026 Word of the Year, reflecting a slang term that has jumped from internet culture into everyday conversations.So what does it mean? Mogging is the act of outshining or outperforming someone or something. According to Associated Press, the word’s usage climbed 210% in 2026 as it became especially popular with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. It is often used as a playful joke when someone gets upstaged. The term isn’t actually brand new. ABC News Australia reports that “mog” is believed to trace back to AMOG, short for “alpha male of the group.” It surfaced around 2016 in bodybuilding culture before spreading through the manosphere and eventually reaching a much wider online audience. Today, mogging isn’t limited to someone’s looks. A great outfit could mog another outfit, or one video game could mog another. Reader’s Digest notes that Collins Dictionary tracks a database of 27 billion words from sources including news and social media to identify changing language trends. “Mogging” also beat some unusual competition. Other words on the 2026 list include “carspreading,” “ghost job,” “friendslop” and “firewave,” according to Associated Press. Together, they show just how quickly internet culture and current events can change the way people talk. Chris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by AL.com staff.