Dictionary experts name popular Gen Z term word of the year
GEN Z term “rizz” has been named word of the year by dictionary experts.
It means having a knack for chatting up potential partners and is thought to be a shortened version of the word “charisma”.
The word was one of eight new terms on a shortlist narrowed down in a public vote before language boffins at Oxford University Press — which makes the Oxford Dictionary — had the final say.
They defined rizz as: “Style, charm, or attractiveness, and the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner.”
The word has been hashtagged millions of times on TikTok after being popularised by 21-year-old American YouTuber Kai Cenat, known for his comedy-based content.
And the term skyrocketed in use in June this year when Spider-Man star Tom Holland, 27, admitted: “I have no rizz whatsoever. I have limited rizz”.
Instead, he reckoned he won over his movie actress girlfriend Zendaya by playing the “long game”.
Casper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages, explained the winning word’s appeal by saying: “One of the reasons it’s moving from being a niche social media phrase into the mainstream is because it’s just fun to say.
“When it comes off your tongue, there’s a little bit of joy that comes with it.” It can also be used as a verb — to “rizz it up” means to charm somebody.
The term is unusual in that it takes the middle part of a word for its shortened form — like “fridge” from “refrigerator” and “flu” from “influenza”.
Other words to make the shortlist reflect our changing times — including terms used in artificial intelligence, for the environment and one linked with pop star Taylor Swift.
“Swiftie” — a die-hard fan of the American superstar singer — made the final word shortlist vying for the top honour.
So did “prompt” — to give an AI an instruction — and “heat dome” — a high-pressure weather system.
“Beige flag” also features, which is a warning sign that a potential partner lacks originality.
Last year, “goblin mode” — unapologetically self-indulgent or lazy — was named as word of the year.
WORD OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST
RIZZ: Style, charm, or attractiveness which attracts sexual partners.
SWIFTIE: A die-hard fan of pop star Taylor Swift.
DE-INFLUENCING: Discouraging people from buying a product, or encouraging them to buy fewer material things.
BEIGE FLAG: Character trait indicating somebody might be boring.
HEAT DOME: High-pressure weather system which traps hot air.
PROMPT: An instruction given to an artificial intelligence program.
PARASOCIAL: Fan’s relationship with a famous person they do not know.
SITUATIONSHIP: Romantic or sexual relationship that is not considered to be formal or established.