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

Dictionary.com has selected "6-7" as its 2025 Word of the Year, a decision that has sparked both intrigue and amusement among linguists, educators, and Gen Alpha users who have embraced the term as a cultural touchstone. The phrase, which originated from a 2024 rap song by Skrilla titled "Doot Doot (6-7)" and gained traction through TikTok videos featuring NBA star LaMelo Ball, has since evolved into a nonsensical yet ubiquitous expression. Dictionary.com described the term as a "linguistic time capsule," reflecting the absurdity and interconnectedness of online culture in 2025.

The term's origin remains elusive, even to its lexicographers. "And now for the moment adults around the world have been waiting for: What does 67 mean? Well... it's complicated," Dictionary.com's release stated. Users often deploy "6-7" as an ambivalent response—akin to "maybe this, maybe that"—or as a playful, random answer to questions. For instance, a parent might ask, "How was school today?" only to receive a reply of "6-7!" accompanied by a hand gesture where palms alternate up and down, Business Standard reported. The phrase has also spawned variations like "six-sendy" and "41," further cementing its status as a generational inside joke.

The term's virality has extended beyond social media. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently joined the trend, announcing that GPT-6 would be rebranded as GPT-6-7, and educators have struggled to curb its classroom prevalence. Sixth-grade teacher Adria Laplander, for example, imposed penalties such as 67-word essays for students who used the term, joking that repeated infractions could lead to 670-word assignments, Yahoo reported. "I've dealt with all sorts of slang—nothing has driven me crazier than this one," she told Today.com.

Lexicographers note that "6-7" exemplifies what Dictionary.com calls "brainrot slang"—intentionally absurd language that spreads rapidly online. Economic Times quoted Steve Johnson, director of lexicography for Dictionary Media Group, who described the term as "part inside joke, part social signal and part performance," emphasizing its role as an interjection that connects people before consensus on its meaning is reached. The term's digital footprint has exploded: Dictionary.com reported that searches for "67" surged sixfold in October 2025 compared to all of 2024, HuffPost reported.

The phrase's cultural resonance is rooted in its role as a form of low-risk rebellion. As clinical social worker Jessica Plonchak explained, Gen Alpha uses slang to build identity and foster a sense of belonging in a world dominated by adult structures and algorithms. "The humor and vagueness make it difficult for outsiders to decode, which reinforces its power as an in-group marker," she added. Despite its nonsensical core, "6-7" has become a defining artifact of 2025. Dictionary.com's decision to honor it underscores how internet-driven language trends increasingly shape mainstream discourse. As Johnson noted, the term "captures the playful, absurd, and connected spirit of youth culture," reflecting a broader cultural moment where meaning is often secondary to shared experience.