The slang has spread from incel forums to everyday conversation.

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Olivia Tauber

Olivia Tauber

Deputy Digital Culture Editor

Olivia Tauber is the deputy editor of digital culture, covering creators, media, movies, beauty, and more. Based in New York, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Cut, Teen Vogue, Complex, and Interview Magazine. She holds a Master's degree in Journalism from NYU and a Bachelor's from the University of Michigan. She also runs Fan Mail, a weekly pop-culture newsletter.

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on October 26, 2026

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Credit: CJ Gunther/Getty Images

Apparently, getting better at something now requires adding "maxxing" to its name. There's sleepmaxxing , proteinmaxxing, looksmaxxing, and even cozymaxxing, because a night on the couch can apparently be optimized, too.

As of Oct 26, "maxxing" is Dictionary.com ’s 2026 Word of the Year .…