By Haddon Libby
“6-7″ (often written as 6-7, 67, or 6 7) is a viral internet meme and slang term that exploded in popularity among the Gen Alpha generation (born after 2010) this year. It is a nonsensical phrase pronounced “six seven,” with no real meaning. Kids just shout it out loud along with a playful hand gesture where they move their open-palmed hands up and down like they’re bouncing something. It’s become a way for them to bond, annoy adults, and feel part of an “in-group”. This joke without a punch line drives some parents and teachers nuts due to its random use and disruptive nature in classrooms.
This silliness originated from a rap song called “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Philadelphia rapper Skrilla. In the lyrics, Skrilla raps, “6-7, I just bipped right on the highway,” amid themes of street life and violence. Speculation ties it to things like the police radio code 10-67 for reporting a dead body and 67th Street in Philly (or Chicago). Skrilla has said that he did not assign it a specific meaning – it can flip something negative to positive or mean whatever people want.
The phrase spread like wildfire on TikTok and Instagram Reels and was boosted by viral clips like high school basketball star Taylen “TK” Kinney rating a Starbucks drink as “6-7 out of 10 (with the hand gesture)”. Kinney’s clips feature NBA player LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall.
A key moment in the 6-7 phenomena was in March when a young basketball fan named Maverick (later meme’d as “Mason” or the “67 Kid”) made a clip yelling ‘6-7’ excitedly at a basketball game. This clip spawned endless remixes, including creepy analog horror versions.
Kids are hollering ‘6-7’ at every chance. It can happen when a teacher flips to page 67 in a book, when there are 6 or 7 minutes left until recess, or just for no reason during class or playtime. It’s like a secret code that signals “I’m cool and in on the joke,” creating instant camaraderie but also chaos. Some schools have banned the phrase because it is so distracting. Linguists call it a “language game” or “shibboleth” that builds community through shared nonsense, and its meaningless vibe makes it stick.
Adults often see the phrase as a form of “brain rot” from too much social media. This interpretation seems more like the grump neighbor as it is meant to be pure fun and a mild rebellion for many using the phrase.
The trend has gone mainstream with shout-outs in “South Park”, “Fortnite” updates, NBA games, and even political speeches. Dictionary.com named “67” as its 2025 Word of the Year, and brands like Pizza Hut and McDonald’s have jumped on it with promos (e.g., 67-cent wings).
Overall, it’s a harmless but infectious fad like the past trends of “skibidi” or “yeet”.
“Skibidi” is a slang term that originated from the viral YouTube animated series Skibidi Toilet. The series debuted in 2023 and features bizarre battles between human-headed toilets and camera-headed humanoid figures, set to a remixed version of the song “Give It to Me” by Timbaland and “Dom Dom Yes Yes” by Biser King. Like ‘6-7’, “skibidi” appears is a nonsensical filler.
“Yeet” is used most by Gen Z and functions as a verb meaning to throw something with great force, often without regard for where it lands.
If you’re dealing with the ‘6-7’ in your home, experts suggest acknowledging it to take the edge off rather than banning it. At the end of the day, it is meant to evoke a laugh or smile – and don’t we all need that, no matter how meaningless?
Haddon Libby is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Winslow Drake Investment Management, a Fiduciary RIA. To learn how a Fiduciary RIA is better than your stock broker, please visit www.WinslowDrake.com or call us at 213.596.8399.
