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Good reason kids are shouting '6-7' as teachers explain what term actually means
The strange "6-7" trend has been sweeping through schools, as many people older than Gen Alpha struggle to keep up.
The baffling phrase has been plaguing classrooms in many countries, with some teachers even going as far as to threaten to kick kids out of their classes for chanting it.
It has even become so popular that a recent South Park episode was centered around it and Dictionary.com named it the word of the year - so what actually is this trend?
What Does "6-7" Actually Mean?
While it may sound like a math problem, “6-7” is anything but.
The phrase comes from the viral song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by rapper Skrilla, in which the numbers "six-seven" are endlessly repeated, per The Athletic.
The term has taken off across TikTok and Instagram, where it’s often paired with videos of teens chanting the phrase, dancing, or using it as an inside joke that leaves adults completely confused.
The term’s meaning varies widely, depending on who you ask.
For some, it’s a way to express indifference or to describe something as "mid" - meaning average or unremarkable.
Others associate it with NBA star LaMelo Ball, who stands at an impressive 6-foot-7, giving the phrase a bit of basketball swagger.
But for many, “6-7” doesn’t mean anything at all. It’s simply a nonsensical expression that can be used in any context, often just to elicit a reaction.
Why are kids shouting "6-7"?
Well, according to Gail Fairhurst, a University of Cincinnati professor who teaches leadership communication, there is a good reason the phrase has become so popular.
As reported by CNN, Fairhurst explained: "It becomes a language game to them that, it would seem, only folks in their group know how to play."
Taylor Jones, a linguist and social scientist, added: "I think that’s part of what upsets people about it, and I think that’s part of what people like about it."
Being 'in' on the trend can also foster a sense of belonging and cement social groups according to Fairhurst, who explained: "Language is a way for people to form community.
"Even if it’s a nonsense term, if they seem to know what it means, that can be a unifying force. And if somebody isn’t understanding the term, it can exclude people from that community, as well."
Why has "6-7" lasted so long as a trend?
Well, according to Jones, a large part of the reason is because "grown-ups are so angry about it."
Jones added: "The fact that you can get a big reaction from somebody for something just totally meaningless — that might give it longer longevity than it might otherwise have."
While 6-7 may have outlasted several other brainrot terms, if past slang is anything to go by, it's probably not going to be around forever, either.
Maybe another 6-7 months tops. (Sorry.)