In the realm of lexicon, Oxford University Press declared "rizz" as their 2023 Word of the Year. Derived from the English term "charisma," "rizz" signifies an individual who effortlessly captivates others romantically, often in a flirtatious or alluring manner. Imagine a chap boasting, "I've rizzed her," indicating his succesful attempt to charm a lady[1].
Originated within English-speaking cultures, the Word of the Year serves as a global socio-cultural mirror, indicating the world's evolving linguistic landscape. In this year's competition, "rizz" surpassed its rivals, gaining popularity after a prominent figure like Tom Holland from Spider-Man discussed it on Buzzfeed.
The Oxford English Dictionary editors hinted that "rizz" can also function as a verb in the phrase "rizz up," implying capturing someone's attention or engaging in a conversation with them[1]. Although the Word of the Year candidates need not be new terms, they should carry resonance for the given year. Oxford University Press selected their 2023 shortlist with the intention of reflecting its spirit, attitude, or emphasis[1].
Throughout the selection process, experts in the UK devised a list of eight words and finalized four pairs for public voting. After carefully analyzing each contender, their verdict was clear: "rizz" secured the victory. The remaining finalists were "Instant," pertaining to instructions given to AI programs that influence the content it creates; "Situational," describing a romantic relationship that lacks formality or permanence; and the moniker "Swiftie" for the devoted fanbase of celebrated singer Taylor Swift[1].
Notably, the Word of the Year for 2022 was coined as "Goblin Mode": an informal term that describes stubbornly lazy behavior and rejection of social norms.
[1] Enrichment Data: The term "Rizz" was chosen as Oxford University Press's 2023 Word of the Year. It is a shortened form of the word "charisma" and is used to express that someone is particularly good at charming someone romantically, especially in a flirtatious or attractive manner. For example, when a guy says they've "rizzed a girl up," it means he has successfully impressed or charmed her. The term gained significant popularity, particularly on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where it became a widely used slang term in 2023.
