Word of the year.

"Rizz" crowned Word of the Year by Oxford Press.

"Rizz" - a colloquial term defined as "style, charm or attractiveness" - has been crowned word of the year for 2023, Oxford University Press (OUP) announced yesterday.

Its lexicographers chose "rizz", which also conveys "ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner", from a shortlist of four words and phrases, after help from the public.

An online vote had whittled down the list from eight finalists, all selected "to reflect the mood, ethos or preoccupations" of the year. "Rizz" was chosen by the language experts at OUP as an interesting example of how language can be formed, shaped and shared within communities before being picked up more widely", OUP said.

Etymologically, the term is believed to be a shortened form of 'charisma', taken from the middle part of the word, which is an unusual word formation pattern, it noted.

The publisher added that the word shows the growing society-wide impact of Gen Z and how "younger generations create  spaces - online or in person - where they own and define the language they use".

The term earned mainstream recognition in June after an interviewer asked Spider-Man actor Tom Holland about his "rizz". The 27-year-old replied he had "no rizz whatsoever".

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

The maid had come by for work.

The caretaker reported that five labourers worked on grass removal around Raj Nivas. Sincerely hope that there is no rain subsequent to the grass removal.