Scrolling in the deep is a weekly column that tells defines internet slang you need to know to operate online. It runs on Wednesdays in the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter—but only our most dedicated readers get it.
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The term “mogging” has been making the rounds on TikTok for the past year, with videos sporting the hashtag, or iterations of it, earning billions of views. It has since earned various explainers online, cementing its existence in Gen Alpha’s internet.
But what exactly does “mogged” mean? According to internet historians, AKA the folks over at Know Your Meme, the term was first documented in 2016, but now TikTokers are slapping the slang onto group photos of celebrities or to compare two persons’ attractiveness.
What does ‘mogged’ and ‘mogging’ mean?
Mogging refers to one person “dominating” another, whether that’s based on looks, physical build, wealth, or just “being better” than them.
For instance, if you’re flirting with someone, and a person more attractive than you swoops in, you’ve been “mogged.”
However, the person doesn’t necessarily have to do anything or interact with you for them to “mog” you. As one TikToker shared in an example, he was showing off his outfit to his viewers when his dad popped up on camera, essentially “mogging” him by wearing a better fit.
@synt4xe It’s over for me
♬ original sound – Angel 🫧
The most common “mogging” comparisons stem from TikTokers comparing celebrity photos, such as Brad Pitt “mogging” Leonardo DiCaprio, or Megan Fox “mogging” whoever she’s taking a photo with. The gist here is: Where there is a mogger, there is one who is being mogged.
@gomminie8 #kai #kimjongin #카이 #김종인 ♬ GMFU (w/ 6arelyhuman) – Odetari & 6arelyhuman
Where did it come from?
As for its origin, the term was derived from AMOG: alpha male of the group, and was first used in fitness spaces, per Know Your Meme. Its trajectory from 4Chan led to “mogged” being used within the “looksmaxxing” community—where you try to better your appearance to increase sexual appeal to women.
The looksmaxxing trend among incels (involuntary celibates) has been controversial for many reasons, as the Daily Dot has covered. Men have gone so far as to break bones in their face or body to increase their attractiveness after being tired of getting “mogged” by their hotter peers.
“Mogged” seems to have kicked off on TikTok in 2021, when user @eddyshreds posted a video comparing himself to a smaller man, ironically being “mogged.” However, searches for the slang spiked earlier this year from January to February.
How to use the term ‘mogged’ and ‘mogging’
Apart from plain ol’ mogging, there also appear to be different types.
For instance, you can be height-mogged (someone is taller than you,) jaw-mogged (someone has a sharper jaw-line,) fashion-mogged, (they have a better fit), etc. You get the idea. And while the origin may have allegedly stemmed from a darker side of the internet, today “mogging” is just a nice way for Gen Alpha to let you know ‘hey, you’re not the hottest one here.’
If you want to get this column a week before we publish it, subscribe to web_crawlr, where you’ll get the daily scoop of internet culture delivered straight to your inbox.
