As a living language, English is very much the verbal clay holding civilisations together, remodelling dictionary meanings and usage at the whim of a population unbridled by grammatical rules or the vanities of traditional syntax. Steve Johnson, the Director of Lexicography at the Dictionary Media Group, named “Maxxing” as the 2026 Word of the Year, based on its use in social media increasing by 19 times compared to 2025. Whether a verb or a suffix, it offers a trendy description for try-hards without implying insult “for not being there yet”. Those mirror-gazing “looksmaxxing” crowds will know what I mean. We should applaud the dynamism of communication in this wonderful age of free speech, which social media, (sometimes maligned) facilitates. New words generated by a populace now unhappy with government impositions on free expression in social media forums cannot be expected to be entirely flattering! A few maxxers targeting Albanese with creative nicknames might yet make the shortlist for 2027 Word of the Year. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 28October2026
