It feels like we’re sinking deeper into a new level of brain rot that has never been seen before. One where kids’ speech has been so thoroughly meme-ified that understanding what they are saying nearly requires learning a whole new language.
The latest can’t-shake-it phrase? “Six-seven.”
Attempting to explain what this term actually means has proven complicated for even the most seasoned teen slang experts. But, we’re here to break down exactly what “six seven” is, why your kid can’t stop saying it, and whether you should be concerned if it shows up in your kid’s vocabulary.
What On Earth Is ‘Six Seven?’
The “six seven” trend is essentially a meme that traces back to the song Doot Doot (6 7) by Skrilla. Kids also use the phrase in reference to NBA player LaMelo Ball, who stands 6 foot 7 inches tall. On TikTok—the obvious culprit that popularized this phrase—edits of LaMelo Ball paired with audio from the song have gone viral. As a result, tweens have started making their own “six seven” videos and repeating the phrase constantly.
But—still—what does it actually mean?
Teens and adults alike have tried to explain it. Some say it means “so-so,” especially since kids often pair the phrase with an up-and-down hand motion. Others argue it refers to a person who is tall, some think it stands for a basketball term, and so on.
The bottom line is, the term “six seven” is nonsensical—which is sort of the point. As one tween TikToker put it under another video, “I think the point is that it makes no sense.” And as another later replied, “but it’s provocative.”
Clearly, it’s one of those phrases that kids just find entertaining. And it’s even more entertaining that us adults have no idea what it means—even if they don’t either.
Adults Are Confused, Teachers Are Exhausted, and Kids are Winning
Teachers have already taken to social media to vent about the “six seven” trend wreaking havoc on their classrooms. Under one teacher’s TikTok video about her fourth graders constantly saying “six seven,” the comment section was flooded with similar frustrations.
“My class has been saying 67 over and over again, it’s annoying,” one teacher wrote. A student also chimed in under the video saying, “My teacher banned us from saying 67.”
A Reddit thread about the trend also prompted another exhausted educator to share their experience with the viral phrase, “I’m an 8th grade teacher and I am so done hearing it that I just banned it from my classroom. You can’t say the two numbers in a row without the class bursting out in a chorus of ‘six seven.’ It was funny at first, but now it’s just old and continually interrupts many class conversations.”
Despite being annoying (and, in many cases, disruptive), the phrase has become embedded in Gen Alpha’s lexicon—and there doesn’t seem to be any going back.
Worrisome or Just Annoying?
If your kid is shouting “six seven” and you’re wondering whether to worry, the short answer is: probably not—but context matters.
Tweens have been using nonsensical phrases to get reactions out of adults since… forever. Back in my day, famous rapper 21 Savage’s tagline “21” was the beloved numerical phrase of choice. Or an even more archaic example: the early 1900s gem “23 skiddo” (which means “get out of here”). So I suppose it makes sense to go further down the line to “six seven.”
That said, it’s worth knowing where the phrase comes from. “Six seven” originates from a rap song with explicit and violent lyrics. While your child might not understand the full context—or may not even know the whole song—repeating phrases without knowing their meanings can lead to problems, especially in environments like school. As mentioned earlier, most teachers don’t appreciate kids shouting “six seven” across the classroom; it can be seen as inappropriate.
If you’re child is using the phrase, consider asking them where they heard it and what they think it means. It can be a great opportunity to discuss media literacy, responsible language, and understanding the context of the content they engage with online.
Just remember that for many tweens, it’s just another catchy, context-free phrase they picked up on TikTok or YouTube. Just like when they started yelling “YEET” for no reason.
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