If you have spent any time scrolling online over the last twelve months, you have probably noticed a strange new word popping up in your feed. The term is mogging, and its usage has skyrocketed so much that it was just crowned the Collins English Dictionary word of the year. It might sound like something a grumpy indoor cat would do, but it actually describes the act of playfully outshining or outperforming someone else.
Imagine taking a group photo where you look absolutely flawless, but your best friend happens to sneeze at the exact wrong moment. Congratulations, you just mogged them. Language experts have noted that the phrase is rapidly making its way into everyday life. For instance, if a stranger casually power-walks past you on the footpath, you have effectively been walk-mogged.
From internet forums to red carpets
While it feels like the latest teenage obsession, the true origins of this trend are much older and a bit darker. Back in the 2010s, the concept began as an acronym standing for the alpha male of the group. It lived primarily on bodybuilding and male-focused internet message boards, where it was used as a toxic label to describe intense, hyper-masculine competition and the desperate urge to dominate others.
Fast forward to today, and younger internet users have completely hijacked and transformed the meaning. The aggressive undertones have been totally watered down. Instead of being a harsh insult, it is now used as a playful tease. It has joined the ranks of other popular internet phrases that broke out of their specific communities and into mainstream celebrity gossip. Experts point out that the word has largely lost its unhealthy edge and is now just part of fun, slightly sarcastic online banter.
Hollywood gets involved
You know an internet trend has truly made it when Arnold Schwarzenegger joins the chat. Earlier this year, the legendary bodybuilder and actor posted a throwback video of his younger self and joked about people trying to explain the new trend to him.
Someone just tried to explain this new trend “frame-mogging” to me… https://t.co/w8iNGn5mSi
— Arnold Schwarzenegger (@Schwarzenegger) March 5, 2026
British television host Maya Jama was described by fans as effortlessly outperforming her peers while casually hanging out of a helicopter on reality television.
The celebrity drama continues
Naturally, a word entirely about being better than someone else is bound to cause a little online drama. Fans recently sparked a massive debate over whether Noah Wyle, the newly crowned sexiest man alive, outshone last year’s winner, Jonathan Bailey.
The music industry also saw its fair share of unnecessary comparisons. When Zara Larsson opened for Tate McRae on her recent North American tour, some enthusiastic fans insisted the Swedish pop star had completely upstaged the main act. Larsson eventually had to publicly shut down the rumours on a popular podcast, clarifying that she had nothing but respect for her tour mate.
It seems we can apply this competitive lens to almost any situation now. Whether it involves personal style, height, or just having a nicer car, outshining the competition is the internet’s favourite new pastime.
