What's happened
In 2025, the nonsensical phrase '6-7' has become a viral meme among children and teens, leading Dictionary.com to name it Word of the Year. Originating from TikTok and social media, its meaning remains unclear, but it symbolizes playful, fluid language among Gen Alpha, causing both amusement and frustration among adults.
What's behind the headline?
The rise of '6-7' exemplifies how social media accelerates linguistic trends that are often meaningless yet culturally significant. Its designation as Word of the Year underscores how language is increasingly shaped by playful, nonsensical expressions that foster social bonds among youth. The phrase's ambiguity—potentially meaning 'so-so,' a shrug, or just a meme—highlights a shift toward fluid, context-dependent communication. This trend benefits younger generations by creating a shared inside joke, but it also frustrates adults who struggle to interpret or regulate it. The viral spread of '6-7' signals a broader pattern where internet culture redefines language, often prioritizing memeability over clarity. As these trends evolve, they will likely influence future slang, digital communication, and even educational approaches to language, emphasizing playfulness and social connection over traditional meaning.
What the papers say
The articles from Gulf News, The Independent, AP News, and NY Post collectively illustrate the phenomenon's origins and cultural impact. Gulf News highlights the meme's chaotic, nonsensical nature and its viral spread among children, while The Independent emphasizes its unclear meaning and social significance. AP News notes the recognition by Dictionary.com as a reflection of social trends, and the NY Post discusses the meme's origins from TikTok and its viral status. Contrasting opinions include Gulf News's humorous take on parental frustration and The Independent's focus on linguistic evolution, demonstrating a broad societal engagement with the trend.
How we got here
The '6-7' meme traces back to a 2024 rap song by Skrilla, 'Doot Doot (6-7),' which gained popularity on TikTok. It was further propelled by viral videos featuring basketball player LaMelo Ball and a young boy shouting the phrase at youth basketball games. The phrase's ambiguous meaning and widespread use among children led to its recognition as Word of the Year by Dictionary.com, reflecting evolving youth language and social media influence.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Dictionary.com is an online dictionary whose domain was first registered on May 14, 1995. The content for Dictionary.com is based on the latest version of Random House Unabridged Dictionary, with editors for the site providing new and updated definitions.
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LaMelo LaFrance Ball is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League. Listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 181 pounds, he plays the point guard position.
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TikTok/Douyin is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based Internet technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming.