I just so happen to teach a "Master Class" in Gen Z slang (video attached) so this story hit home for me.;)
The Oxford University Press in England has awarded its prestigious Word of the Year honor to . . . RIZZ. That's rizz, with two Zs . . . NOT like Ritz crackers.
"Rizz" is internet slang, defined as "style, charm, or attractiveness, and the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner." It's basically a shortened form of "charisma" . . . like how "fridge" is short for "refrigerator." (???) Unfortunately, this means Taylor Swift was snubbed. (Insert dramatic sfx)
Rizz beat out three other finalists, including "Swiftie," which doesn't need to be defined. (It's unclear whether this decision will draw the ire of Taylor Swift fans . . . of if they have higher priorities than the Oxford University Press.)
The others were "prompt" . . . the instruction given to an A.I. program, which "determines or influences the content it generates." It's basically like the Google search query for A.I., which you can hone to get it to do exactly what you want.
And "situationship" . . . a romantic or sexual relationship that's not considered to be formal or established.
Four other semifinalist words were:
Beige flag . . . "a character trait that indicates that a potential partner is boring or lacks originality." Basically, the bland in-between of green and red flags.
Parasocial . . . a relationship that a person imagines having with another person who they don't actually know, often due to being connected on social media.
Heat dome . . . "a persistent high-pressure weather system over a particular geographic area, which traps a mass of hot air below it."
De-influencing . . . "the practice of discouraging people from buying particular products," often through social media.
What did Oxford miss? OR would you like to submit one? Shoot it to me at Crash@98rock.com
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