News by Levels · Level 2 · Student worksheet

Collins Names “Mogging” Its Word of the Year

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Collins Dictionary has chosen “mogging” as its 2026 word of the year. The dictionary announced its selection on November 3.

The informal term means outshining or outperforming someone or something. A person might jokingly say a friend’s cake “mogged” theirs when the friend’s cake looks more impressive.

Collins says the term was used in bodybuilding culture before spreading more widely online. Euronews reports that it is popular among younger generations. Its use can be playful, but it is slang rather than formal English.

Source: Collins Dictionary, 2026-11-03. https://blog.collinsdictionary.com/language-lovers/collins-word-of-the-year-2026-a-year-of-being-outdone/

Read and practise

1. In the cake example, why might a person say their friend's cake 'mogged' theirs?

   1. Their own cake looks more impressive.
   2. The friend's cake looks more impressive.
   3. Both cakes look equally impressive.

2. Where does Collins say the term was used before spreading more widely online?

   1. Bodybuilding culture
   2. Professional baking culture
   3. Online communities before bodybuilding culture

3. What kind of English does the article say 'mogging' is?

   1. Formal English rather than slang
   2. A term used only in formal reports
   3. Slang rather than formal English

Your turn

What does 'mogging' mean, and where was the term used before spreading more widely online?

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/collins-word-of-the-year-mogging-2026/level-2/