What’s the Deal with “6‑7”? Why Kids Keep Saying It

If you’ve heard your kid—or any middle schooler—shout “six seven” and wondered what in the world that means, you’re not alone. The phrase has exploded across TikTok, classrooms, and social media in 2025, leaving many adults scratching their heads. In this article, we break down where “6‑7” came from, what (if anything) it means, and how parents, teachers, and even media personalities are responding to the trend.
The Origin Story: How “6‑7” Went Viral
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The phrase “6‑7” (sometimes written “six seven” or “67”) traces back to the rap song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla.
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In the song, Skrilla uses “6‑7” as part of a hook or refrain.
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The meme also leans on a connection to LaMelo Ball, the NBA player who stands 6′7″ tall—clips of him paired with the audio have fueled the trend.
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As the phrase gained traction, users adopted it for memes, dance videos, reaction content, and playful shout-outs.
In short: it began as a musical hook, got remixed into meme culture, and evolved into something many use without thinking about its root.
Original video:
Does “6‑7” Even Mean Anything?
That’s the tricky part. It turns out no fixed meaning has taken hold—and that’s part of the point.
What scholars and dictionaries say
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According to Merriam-Webster, “six seven” is described as a nonsensical expression used especially by teens. Merriam-Webster
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The dictionary notes a few interpretations (like “so-so” or a height reference), but ultimately concludes: “the bottom line is, the term ‘six seven’ is nonsensical ..which is sort of the point.” Merriam-Webster
Popular interpretations in social media
Some of the common theories floating around:
Interpretation | What It Suggests |
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So‑so / Meh | Some believe it means something average or lukewarm, especially when paired with a hand motion going up and down. Parents+2Yahoo News+2 |
Height / “6’7” reference | Because LaMelo is 6′7″, some take it literally as a height shout‑out. People.com+2Wikipedia+2 |
Meme / inside joke | Many kids admit they don’t actually know what it means — they just enjoy the randomness and the communal feel of using it. Parents+2Like A Dad+2 |
Highway / risky move | One annotation on Genius attempts to tie “6‑7” to a risky lane change in the song lyrics — but this doesn’t carry much consensus. Parade |
So: while lots of people guess at a meaning, most agree that there isn’t one universally accepted definition. That ambiguity is part of the meme’s appeal.
The Spread: From TikTok to Classrooms
Viral momentum on social media
The phrase exploded in early 2025, with users layering it over sports clips, transitions, and dance trends. Wikipedia+2People.com+2
Hand gestures (moving palms up and down) often accompany the phrase to add visual flair. Parade+2Parents+2
School disruptions & bans
Teachers have reported that “six seven” can derail lessons when students repeatedly shout it across classrooms. Parents+1 In response, some schools have even banned its utterance during class. Axios+2New York Post+2
Media catching on
On shows like Live with Kelly & Mark, hosts tried to get to the bottom of it …and concluded that the trend is fun, but blank in meaning. Decider
Why Does “6‑7” Matter to Parents & Educators?
It’s a symptom of generational language shifts
Every generation has had slang that perplexed the previous one (think “the bee’s knees,” “groovy,” “on fleek”). “6‑7” is the digital age’s iteration …viral, fluid, and context-dependent.
It opens doors for conversation
Because kids often don’t even know the meaning themselves, it’s an opportunity for parents and educators to ask: Where did you hear that? Why do you repeat it? Use that as a springboard to talk about media literacy and how content spreads online.
Be cautious of the source
While “6‑7” as used by kids is benign, part of it comes from a song with explicit lyrics and violent content. Kids repeating snippets of songs without context may inadvertently reference content they don’t understand. Parents
Tips for Parents & Teachers
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Don’t panic. The phrase is mostly harmless — it’s more noise than signal.
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Ask open questions. Let kids explain in their own words what they think it means.
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Set boundaries in class. If it’s disruptive, make clear rules: no shouting memes mid-lesson.
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Turn it into a teachable moment. Challenge kids to research on their own: where did “6‑7” come from? Who is Skrilla?
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Stay current. Language moves fast. What’s viral today may vanish tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
“6‑7” is one of those slang phenomena that’s fun precisely because it’s vague. It’s catchy, memeable, communal — and ultimately, a blank canvas that kids can project meaning onto. If your teen is shouting it, they’re not behaving mysteriously …they’re participating in a meme culture where meaning is optional.
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