Oxford’s Word Of The Year Lives Up To Its Name
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Oxford Languages has selected “rizz” as its Word of the Year for 2023, a popular slang term signifying one’s ability to attract others through charm and style.
This modern slang, peppered liberally across TikTok and the ilk, is derived from the middle of “charisma,” and follows unique word formation patterns similar to “fridge” from “refrigerator” and “flu” from “influenza.” The term gained traction in 2023, particularly after actor Tom Holland’s discussion about his own “rizz” in a widely reported interview.
Image via Oxford Languages
“Rizz” also functions as a verb, as in “rizz up,” meaning to attract or charm someone.
2023 has been a year where commanding attention—whether in the personal or professional realm—has hinged on charisma, succinctly encapsulated in the term “rizz.” In the same vein, Tinder recently rolled out a “rizz-first” redesign, where appearances have taken a backseat in favor of personality.
Long story short, “rizz” lived up to its name by charming its way into our vernacular and becoming Word of the Year… nearly twice. Not only has it captivated over 32,000 votes and language experts over at Oxford, but it was also one of the contenders for Merriam-Webster’s 2023 Word of the Year title. Rizz’s got rizz, for sure.
Other words that were considered for Oxford’s Word of the Year include “prompt,” which is linked to the rise of artificial intelligence and the involvement of human input to guide these advanced systems.
Image via Oxford Languages
“Situationship,” describing unconventional, almost-there romantic or sexual relationships, was also in the running.
Image via Oxford Languages
Last but certainly not least, “Swiftie” was selected as a potential Word of the Year, reflecting the strong influence of fandom culture surrounding Taylor Swift.
Image via Oxford Languages
These words not only reflect linguistic trends but also paint a picture of the evolving dynamics in our daily lives.
[via Oxford Languages, images via various sources]
