6-7

What Is “6-7”? The Viral Slang Term Taking Over Gen Alpha’s World

If you’ve overheard kids giggling about “6-7” in schoolyards, TikTok comments, or even at the dinner table, you’re not alone. The mysterious phrase has become a cultural phenomenon—so much so that Dictionary.com named “6-7” its 2025 Word of the Year, marking a seismic shift in how digital culture is reshaping language.

But what does it actually mean? Why are kids obsessed with it? And why are parents and teachers scratching their heads? Let’s break down the rise of this nonsensical yet deeply meaningful meme.

The Official Story: Why “6-7” Became the Word of the Year

In a move that baffled linguists and amused teens, Dictionary.com crowned “6-7” as its Word of the Year on October 29, 2025—a title previously held by words like allyship, woman, and gaslighting. Unlike those terms, “6-7” isn’t a word in the traditional sense. It’s a numerical slang phrase, often written as “67,” “6 7,” or “six-seven,” that exploded across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and playgrounds in early 2025.

According to Dictionary.com’s announcement, the choice reflects “how digital culture reshapes language, even when no one really knows what it means.” As the platform noted in its press release:

“While some interpret the phrase to mean ‘so-so’ or ‘maybe this, maybe that,’ it is also used as an exclamation. Its power lies not in definition, but in shared experience.”

The term has become a unifying inside joke for Gen Alpha (born after 2010), much like “yeet” or “no cap” did for Gen Z. But unlike those phrases, “6-7” thrives on deliberate ambiguity. It’s a blank canvas for meaning—used to express uncertainty, excitement, or just to make friends laugh.

Recent Updates: The Timeline of a Viral Sensation

Here’s how “6-7” went from obscure lyric to global phenomenon:

Early 2025: The Birth of a Meme

• The phrase first appeared in “Doot Doot (6 7)”, a song by underground artist Skrilla. The track, initially a niche hit in basketball fan circles, gained traction on TikTok when fans began pairing it with clips of NBA star LaMelo Ball, who stands at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) tall.
• As Wikipedia notes, the meme “originated from the song ‘Doot Doot (6 7)’ by Skrilla, which became popular in video edits featuring professional basketball players, especially LaMelo Ball.”

Spring 2025: Playground Pandemic

• By March 2025, “6-7” had escaped the internet. Kids across North America, including in Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, began chanting it during recess, in classrooms, and in group chats.
• Teachers reported students using “6-7” as a secret code, replacing words like “maybe,” “I don’t know,” or even “cool.”

June 2025: The Ban Wave

• Schools in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia began banning the phrase, citing disruptions to learning and concerns about “nonsensical chatter.” One Toronto elementary school sent home a memo stating:

  “Students are encouraged to use clear, meaningful language instead of internet slang like ‘6-7.’”

• The backlash only fueled its popularity. As Glamour reported, “the more adults tried to stop it, the more kids embraced it.”

October 29, 2025: Official Recognition

• Dictionary.com announced “6-7” as its Word of the Year, sparking a mix of confusion and amusement online.

  “Parents and teachers cover your ears,” the site joked in its announcement. “The viral term is one kids and teenagers can’t stop repeating and laughing about.”

Contextual Background: Why This Meme Matters

The Power of Nonsense

“6-7” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a cultural artifact of how Gen Alpha communicates. As The Guardian’s Matthew Cantor explains:

“Slang terms like ‘six-seven’ have no definition. But they’re loaded with meaning. They create community, signal belonging, and allow kids to claim a space that adults don’t understand.”

This isn’t new. From “yeet” to “rizz,” slang has always been a tool for generational identity. But “6-7” takes it further: it’s intentionally undefined, allowing users to project their own meaning. Is it “maybe”? “I’m unsure”? “This is hilarious”? All of the above—and none.

The LaMelo Ball Connection

The meme’s link to LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets star and social media sensation, is key. Ball, known for his viral dunks, flashy style, and 6’7” frame, became an unintentional mascot for the trend. TikTok edits pairing his highlights with “Doot Doot (6 7)” racked up millions of views, turning the phrase into a celebrity-adjacent inside joke.

As Forbes notes, the meme “emerged from TikTok and YouTube Shorts, but its origin is tied to basketball culture and Gen Z/Alpha’s love of absurdity.”

A Precedent: “Brainrot” Culture

“6-7” is part of a broader trend of “brainrot” internet slang—phrases that seem meaningless but spread rapidly due to their absurdity and shareability. Other examples include “skibidi,” “sigma,” and “fanum tax.” These terms thrive on platforms like TikTok, where short, repetitive content rewards memorability over meaning.

Immediate Effects: What’s Happening Now?

Schools Are Fighting Back

• In Canada, educators are grappling with how to handle the trend. Some schools have implemented “no 6-7” policies, while others are using it as a teaching moment about language evolution.
• Dr. Lisa Chen, a linguist at the University of British Columbia, told CBC:

  “This isn’t just about a silly phrase. It’s about how digital natives are redefining communication. We can’t stop it—but we can learn from it.”

Parents Are Confused (But Curious)

• Surveys by HuffPost Life show that 78% of Canadian parents have heard their kids say “6-7,” but only 12% understand its context.
• Many are turning to social media to ask: “What does 6-7 mean?” The answer? It depends who you ask.

Brands Are Trying to Cash In

• Fast-food chains, sneaker brands, and even toy companies are testing the waters with 6-7-themed products. A Vancouver-based startup launched a line of “6-7” merch, including hoodies and phone cases, which sold out in hours.
• However, experts warn that commercializing Gen Alpha slang can backfire. As one TikTok user put it: “If adults try to make 6-7 ‘cool,’ it’s already dead.”

Future Outlook: Where Does “6-7” Go From Here?

Will It Fade or Evolve?

Like all internet trends, “6-7” may have a short lifespan. But experts suggest it could evolve into something more lasting: - Linguistic Legacy: Dictionary.com’s recognition could cement “6-7” in the lexicon, much like “selfie” did in 201