6-7: Gen Alpha's Linguistic Time Capsule for 2025

has named "6-7" as its Word of the Year for 2025, a choice that has both puzzled and entertained language experts, teachers, and members of Gen Alpha, who have adopted it as a symbol of their generation. The phrase, which first appeared in Skrilla’s 2024 rap track "Doot Doot (6-7)" and gained momentum through TikTok clips featuring NBA player LaMelo Ball, has since become a widely used, albeit meaningless, catchphrase. According to Dictionary.com, the term serves as a "linguistic time capsule," capturing the bizarre and interconnected nature of digital culture in 2025.

The exact beginnings of the phrase remain unclear, even to those who document language. "And now for the moment adults around the world have been waiting for: What does 67 mean? Well... it's complicated," Dictionary.com’s announcement read. People often use "6-7" as a noncommittal reply—similar to saying "maybe"—or simply as a whimsical, random answer. For example, when a parent asks, "How was school today?" the child might respond with "6-7!" while making a gesture with their hands moving up and down,

reported. The phrase has inspired spin-offs like "six-sendy" and "41," further solidifying its place as a generational inside reference.

The popularity of "6-7" has spread well beyond online platforms. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently joined the trend by announcing that GPT-6 would be renamed GPT-6-7, and teachers have found it challenging to stop its use in schools. For instance, sixth-grade teacher Adria Laplander assigned 67-word essays to students who said the phrase, joking that repeated use could result in 670-word essays,

reported. "I've encountered all kinds of slang—none have frustrated me as much as this one," she told Today.com.

Language experts point out that "6-7" is a prime example of what Dictionary.com calls "brainrot slang"—deliberately silly expressions that quickly go viral online.

quoted Steve Johnson, head of lexicography at Dictionary Media Group, who described the phrase as "part inside joke, part social cue, and part performance," highlighting its function as an interjection that brings people together before its meaning is even agreed upon. The phrase’s online popularity has skyrocketed: Dictionary.com noted that searches for "67" in October 2025 were six times higher than during all of 2024, reported.

The phrase’s cultural impact lies in its use as a subtle form of rebellion. Clinical social worker Jessica Plonchak explained that Gen Alpha uses slang to create identity and a sense of community in a world shaped by adult rules and algorithms. "Its humor and ambiguity make it hard for outsiders to understand, which strengthens its role as a sign of belonging," she said. Even though it lacks a clear meaning, "6-7" has become a defining symbol of 2025. Dictionary.com’s recognition of the term highlights how language trends born online are increasingly influencing mainstream conversation. As Johnson observed, the phrase "embodies the playful, absurd, and connected energy of youth culture," representing a time when shared experiences matter more than precise definitions.