OXFORD CHOOSES “RIZZ” AS WORD OF THE YEAR
Derived from the word “charisma”, Oxford University Press (OUP) has announced that “rizz” is the word of the year.
CNN reports that language experts choosing the Oxford word of the year 2023 were dazzled by a bright young thing, selecting a relative newcomer for the top spot.
OUP said in its announcement on Monday that the word rizz refers to a person’s ability to attract a romantic partner through “style, charm, or attractiveness”.
Although contenders for the title don’t have to be new words, they have to have played a significant role in the year that they’re nominated in.
Every year, the shortlist gives a reflection of the “mood, ethos, or preoccupations of the year”, says OUP. The publisher added that the word received more than 32,000 votes from the public.
The word gained popularity after the actor Tom Holland used it. During an interview with Buzzfeed, the actor was asked what the secret to his rizz was. He answered: “I have no rizz whatsoever. I have limited rizz.”
Image credit: The Daily Beast