The phrase “rizz” — a term used by Generation Z to characterize someone’s capacity to entice or seduce another person — has been awarded Oxford University Press’s word of the year, underscoring the concept’s rising prominence.
In a yearly assessment conducted by specialists at the Oxford English Dictionary publisher, the word triumphed over “Swiftie,” i.e. a fervent admirer of Taylor Swift; “situationship”, meaning an unofficial romantic or sexual connection, and “prompt,” a directive provided to an artificial intelligence program,
According to the publisher, the term “rizz” is said to originate from the center of the word “charisma” and may be used as a verb, as in “rizz up,” or talk someone up.
“The spike in usage data for rizz goes to prove that words and phrases that evolve from internet culture are increasingly becoming part of day-to-day vernacular and will continue to shape language trends in the future,” Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, said.
“It speaks to how younger generations create spaces — online or in person — where they own and define the language they use,” he added. “From activism to dating and wider culture, as Gen Z comes to have more impact on society, differences in perspectives and lifestyle play out in language, too.”
The winner was declared on Monday after a public vote.
