Arlington, Texas, USA: In 2025, the youth slang scene has seen many trends come and go, but none have made as much noise as the simple phrase “six-seven.” The two-number expression — also written as “67” or “6-7” — has dominated social media platforms like TikTok, sparking countless videos, memes, and jokes among Gen Z students across the United States.
The origin of the phrase traces back to the track “Doot Doot” by Philadelphia-based rapper Skrilla, where “6-7” is repeatedly mentioned. The expression has also gained popularity due to its connection with NBA player LaMelo Ball, who happens to stand 6 feet 7 inches tall.
Although most adults and millennials remain unsure of its true meaning, for kids and teens, the fun lies in simply saying the numbers or performing the accompanying hand gesture — moving their hands up and down while chanting “six-seven.” The phenomenon spread rapidly through schools by mid-September, turning into a shared inside joke.
However, teachers and school administrators across the United States have grown increasingly frustrated. They report that the phrase has become a classroom distraction. Anytime the numbers six or seven are mentioned — whether during attendance, in math lessons, or even when reading page numbers — students burst into laughter, mimic the gesture, and chant “six-seven.”
As a result, several schools have implemented disciplinary measures to curb the behaviour. Some of these include:
Writing punishment lines — sometimes as many as 67 repetitions of the phrase.
Losing classroom privileges or rewards.
Writing essays on why the behaviour is inappropriate.
Dr Sarah Schecter, Head of Lower School at The Oakridge School in Texas, told New India Abroad:
“Thankfully, my teachers haven’t let 6-7 become a serious issue. We haven’t created any school-wide bans, but we’ve encouraged students to express themselves in more meaningful ways. For Halloween, one teacher even wrote ‘6-7’ on a tombstone to signal that it’s time to move on to something new.”
Despite the crackdown, the cultural impact of “6-7” continues to grow. On October 29, 2025, Dictionary.com even announced “67” as its Word of the Year, cementing the meme’s place in pop culture history.
