Oxford's 2023 Word of the Year revealed; read more for details
PTC Web Desk: Oxford's 2023 Word of the Year has been unveiled as 'Rizz', a term originating from Gen Z slang denoting "style, charm, or attractiveness," particularly related to the ability to allure romantic or sexual partners.
The selection was made by Oxford lexicographers after a public vote from a shortlist of eight words, aiming to encapsulate the essence and concerns of 2023, as reported by 'The New York Times'.
The contenders included phrases such as Swiftie, Beige flag, situationship, prompt, and de-influencing. Although 'Rizz' was initially recorded in 2022, it gained widespread attention in June when actor Tom Holland mentioned it in an interview with Buzzfeed, stating, "I have no rizz whatsoever; I have limited rizz."
Following Holland's statement, a surge of memes featuring the term flooded Internet. Casper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages, highlighted the role of social media in accelerating language change, indicating the phrase's shift from niche online usage to mainstream adoption.
Grathwohl noted the term's appeal, emphasising the joy derived from its pronunciation. 'Rizz' can also function as a verb, such as 'to rizz up', signifying the action of attracting or engaging someone in conversation.
In essence, 'Rizz' represents a contemporary rendition of 'game', reflecting skill, prowess, and the capacity to charm others romantically or sexually.
The public's involvement in choosing the Word of the Year has been a recent trend. Last year, "Goblin Mode" clinched the title with an overwhelming 93 percent of the overall vote, marking a departure from previous years where Oxford lexicographers solely determined the selection.
Notable past Word of the Year choices include "vax," "climate emergency," and "toxic." However, in 2020, Oxford opted not to select a single word, acknowledging the complexity of the year's events and instead highlighted several words encapsulating the unprecedented nature of the times.
- With inputs from agencies
