Collins picks mogging as 2026 word of the year

Collins Dictionary selected mogging as its word of the year for 2026. The entry describes a situation where one person or thing outperforms or outshines another. This choice tops a shortlist that includes terms from transport, politics, and entertainment.

Copywriter Rachel Quin explained that the term makes others look inferior through looks, confidence, or status. She noted that mogging is likely a shortened form of Amog, which means alpha male of the group. The word surfaced in bodybuilding culture around 2016. It moved through online communities before becoming common slang by 2026.

Quin said the usage now covers more than personal comparisons. She cited examples like teenagers beating elite athletes. The term also applies to video games replacing older favorites. It can even describe one baker making a better loaf than another. She linked this competitive spirit to many of the other shortlisted words.

The list includes carspreading, which refers to manufacturers building longer, wider, and heavier vehicles. Quin stated that sport utility vehicles made up more than half of new car sales in 2025. She said this leaves less room in parking spaces and on country lanes.

Political terms on the list include Manchesterism. This philosophy is associated with Prime Minister Andy Burnham. It combines regional devolution with economic growth and social progress. Quin said Burnham revived the 19th-century term in a newspaper article in January. He succeeded Keir Starmer as prime minister in July. Supporters hope his approach in Greater Manchester will work nationally, while critics question its meaning.

Environmental entries include firewave, a term coined by Imperial College London researchers in 2025. It describes multiple wildfires occurring in a short period during dry conditions. The list also features hydration breaks. These became mandatory at every 2026 World Cup match in the USA, Mexico, and Canada due to climate conditions.

Workplace terms include ghost job, an advertised vacancy that an employer does not intend to fill. Quin cited a recent UK study showing that roughly one-third of advertised positions fall into this category. Gaming contributes friendslop, which describes cheap multiplayer indie games that prioritize shared fun over graphics. Other entries include fricy, a blend of fruity and spicy flavors, and bixie, a hairstyle mix worn by Zendaya, Jessie Buckley, and Helen Mirren. The term P(doom) expresses the percentage probability that AI will cause the collapse of human civilization.