The viral phenomenon known as the "6-7" meme has taken over classrooms, and while it might seem bothersome, there’s an underlying reason for its popularity.
It’s hard to think of a number that has created as much commotion since 1969. This catchy phrase, "6-7," pronounced with an exaggerated flair as "six-seveeeeen," has been echoing through school corridors nationwide, including the fictional halls of South Park Elementary. Youngsters are excitedly exclaiming it when a teacher refers to page 67, when lunch is a quick 6 to 7 minutes away, or just randomly without any prompt.
Gabe Dannenbring, a seventh-grade science educator based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, likens this phenomenon to an uncontrollable plague: "It’s as if a virus has invaded the minds of these children. You can mention 6 or 7 in any context, and suddenly, you’re met with a chorus of at least 15 students shouting, ‘6-7!’”
The humor of this phrase is somewhat elusive; it lacks a clear joke or setup. Ultimately, the number itself holds no real significance, but its frequent use creates a sense of belonging among students, making them feel part of a lively, cohesive group of peers.
"It's essentially a game of language that only those within their social circle seem to grasp," remarks Gail Fairhurst, a professor at the University of Cincinnati who specializes in communication, particularly among Gen Alpha.
Trends in youth culture, like Skibidi toilets and rizz, come and go with relative swiftness. However, the 6-7 meme might enjoy a prolonged shelf life, stemming from its ambiguous nature and its resistance to any strict definition. This ambiguity is likely what causes frustration among adults. "People are upset by its meaninglessness, yet it's also what draws others to it," explained linguist Taylor Jones.
While it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact origin of "6-7," one explanation revolves around its inclusion in the catchy chorus of the viral rap song "Doot Doot (6 7)" released by Skrilla, a rapper from Philadelphia. According to Jones, the phrase might even serve as a nod to the police code 10-67, typically used to denote a reported death.
In December 2024, as "Doot Doot" began to capture attention, rising high school basketball star Taylen Kinney appeared to contribute to the meme's growth by creating a hand gesture linked to the phrase. In a social media clip shared by his Overtime Elite team, Kinney humorously rated a Starbucks beverage, holding up his hands as if weighing options while stating, "Like a 6 ... 6 ... 6-7."
Following its rise, the song began popping up in sports highlight reels featuring LaMelo Ball, a point guard for the Charlotte Hornets who just so happens to stand precisely at 6 feet and 7 inches tall. While he appears to be taking it in stride for now, the upcoming NBA season could change that dynamic as the meme persists.
A surge of popularity in the meme can be traced back to March when a viral video featured an incredibly animated attendee at a local basketball game yelling, "6-7!" complete with the signature hand gesture. This enthusiastic spectator became a caricature of that one classmate who can’t seem to stop repeating quirky phrases, and the internet collectively decided to name this figure Mason. Thus, "Mason 67" morphed into yet another inside joke among students. Interestingly, Mason has since evolved into a meme associated with online analog horror, showcasing the dynamic internet culture.
So if a student references any of these explanations when asked about the meaning behind "6-7," they’re likely to be correct, even though many of them might not fully understand its roots. As Dannenbring noted, "Nobody really knows what it means. That’s the hilarious part about it."
Part of the phrase's allure comes from what Jones terms "semantic bleaching,” where a term is stripped of its earlier meaning and assumes a new, often ambiguous significance. Embracing "6-7" appears to hinge on a willingness to enjoy silliness: "Are you up for a bit of whimsy, or are you a party pooper?"
While it might seem like just a nonsensical phrase, "6-7" serves an important social function. It acts as a shibboleth, indicating membership in a particular group, where those who don’t understand or use the term feel excluded. In essence, what kid wouldn’t want to be part of the popular crowd?
Fairhurst elaborated, "Language facilitates community-building among individuals. Even if a term like this is meaningless in itself, feeling like they comprehend its significance can create unity among peers, while those left out might feel marginalized."
Interestingly, the longevity of "6-7" appears to have outstripped that of similar memes, largely due to the annoyance it causes among adults. According to Jones, the anger grown-ups express regarding this meaningless phrase might ironically contribute to its staying power.
Frustrated with the constant interruptions of "6-7," teachers are now pushing back by prohibiting it from their classrooms and creating TikTok videos lamenting the absurdity of how often they encounter it in a day—Dannenbring reportedly hit a record of 75 mentions in one day alone. However, when kids scream "6-7!" after it’s banned, this rebellious act becomes a declaration of resistance, as Fairhurst points out.
In a clever move to appropriate the phrase for educational purposes, a choir teacher at a middle school in Michigan successfully turned "6-7" into part of a warm-up song featuring a medley of other trendy phrases like "slay," "Ohio," and "rizz."
She hilariously encouraged her students, "Don’t scream at me! Even if you’re excited," before they chanted, "6-7, 6-7, 6-7, skibidi" like a chorus of exuberant children.
To combat the disruption in his classroom, Dannenbring occasionally adopts the playful tone of his seventh graders when requesting them to open their textbooks to page 67. He often finds himself cheekily saying, "That’s so 6-7 of you,” transforming its disruptive potential into a humorous moment.
As Jones aptly said, "The simplest way to extinguish its flame is by allowing teachers to express that it's ‘cool.’"
Comedian Josh Pray has also embraced the meme, incorporating "6-7" into his videos to reclaim its innocent essence, exclaiming, "I’m striving to take our numbers back! I can’t bear the thought of echoing that taunt about my age when I’m 67!"
Parents need not fear—the incessant cries of "6-7!" alone do not indicate your children are incapable of clear thinking. While concerns regarding slipping literacy and critical thinking skills are indeed serious, they may be misattributed to what is essentially harmless youthful folly, as Jones suggests.
"We are in the midst of rewriting our own narratives," he stated. “This isn’t a new phenomenon by any means.” Each generation has its unique vernacular, with language evolving in ways that generally escape our conscious awareness. Kids will always invent fresh, exciting slang (just consider the term "cool"), while adults are left bewildered and scratching their heads.
Phrases like "6-7" aren’t inherently damaging, and its rise certainly won’t lead to the demise of the English language, according to Fairhurst. However, its popularity might reflect a broader trend in our "post-truth" society, where the precision and meaning of communication seem less important than personal interpretation.
"This phenomenon may be indicative of how we’re using language simply for the sake of using it, devoid of any significant or tangible meaning," she noted.
As we reflect on the lifespan of phrases like "6-7," it’s worth considering that its claim to fame may already be waning. Approaching the one-year mark—essentially an eternity in the world of TikTok—Dannenbring has noticed that some of his students are beginning to roll their eyes when they hear it. Meanwhile, comedian and middle school educator Philip Lindsay has already caught wind of potential replacements, such as the number "41," another seemingly meaningless term that elicits giggles among students.
"41 appears to be an attempt to dethrone 6-7," Lindsay explained. “While 6-7 emerged organically, 41 is being introduced with intent.”
In Dannenbring’s view, the slang landscape could be much worse than "6-7." He recalled trends that saw students engaging in dangerous antics like setting their school-issued laptops on fire or vandalizing restroom facilities by ripping sinks off the walls. "We’ve experienced phrases like ‘Skibidi toilet’ before; this current trend is markedly less irritating in comparison."
