Is she rizzing him up, or is he rizzing her up?

Every year, the Oxford University Press selects a word or expression that reflects the mood, ethos, or preoccupations of the past year. The Oxford Word of the Year is not necessarily a new word, but one that has gained prominence or relevance in a particular year. This year, the word that captured the attention of the public and the language experts was 'rizz'.

What does 'rizz' mean?

'Rizz' is a slang term that refers to a person's ability to attract a romantic partner through style, charm, or attractiveness. It is thought to be derived from the word 'charisma', and it can also be used as a verb, as in 'to rizz up' someone. The word became popular on social media platforms like TikTok, where users often showcase their 'rizz' or comment on other people's 'rizz'. The word also received the Merriam-Webster stamp of approval in September, becoming one of 690 new words to get added to the renowned dictionary. Another factor that contributed to the popularity of ‘rizz’ was the viral interview of actor Tom Holland, who claimed that he had "no rizz whatsoever" when asked about his approach to romancing his co-star Zendaya. The interview sparked a lot of memes and jokes on the internet, as well as admiration for the humble and honest star.

How 'rizz' was chosen?

For the first time in its history, the Oxford University Press opened the choice of the Word of the Year to the public. It shortlisted eight words that were considered to represent the tone, ethos, or themes of 2023, and put them into competing pairs for the public to vote on. The words were:

- Situationship: a romantic partnership that is not considered to be formal or established

- Prompt: the instruction given to an artificial intelligence program that influences the content it creates

- Beige flag: a gesture of surrender or defeat, especially in a humorous or ironic way

- De-influencing: the act or process of reducing or removing the influence or popularity of a social media influencer

- Swiftie: an avid fan of singer Taylor Swift

- Canon event: an event or development in a fictional story that is considered to be officially part of its plot or history

- Rizz: style, charm, or attractiveness, or one’s ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner

- Deepfake: an image or video that appears real but is generated by artificial intelligence, often with the intention of deceiving or manipulating

The public voted for their favorite words, and the four finalists were: prompt, situationship, swiftie, and rizz. The final word was then chosen by the language experts at Oxford, who analyzed the frequency, usage, and cultural impact of each word. They decided that 'rizz' was the word that best reflected the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of 2023, and that had lasting potential as a word of cultural significance.

Why is 'rizz' important?

According to the Oxford University Press, 'rizz' is important because it reflects the changing nature of romance and attraction in the digital age, as well as the influence of social media and youth culture on language. 'Rizz' also captures the desire for authenticity and self-expression, as well as the playful and creative aspects of language. 'Rizz' is a word that celebrates individuality, charisma, and confidence, and that resonates with many people across the world.

What do you think of 'rizz'?

Do you agree with the Oxford University Press's choice of 'rizz' as the Word of the Year 2023? Do you use 'rizz' in your everyday conversations or online interactions? Do you have 'rizz' or admire someone who does? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this article with your friends and family, and see if they have 'rizz' too!