OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joined the meme bandwagon after Dictionary.com’s word of the year wasn’t actually a word — but the viral term “6-7,” used by kids and teens alike, whose meaning remains ambiguous. In a sarcastic post on X, Altman revealed that GPT-6 — which is currently in active development — will be renamed “GPT-6-7. You’re welcome.”
The word—if you can even call it that—exploded in popularity over the summer. “6-7” is more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning, supported by social media trends.
Dictionary.com said its annual Word of the Year serves as a “linguistic time capsule” that reflects cultural moments and behaviors on the Internet. Still, the site admitted it’s “still trying to figure out exactly what that means.”
The phrase appears to come from rapper Skrilly’s 2024 track “Doot Doot (6-7),” which gained traction on TikTok. He became especially popular in videos featuring basketball players, including NBA star LaMelo Ball, who happens to be 6-foot-7.
Soon after, a viral clip of a boy — now dubbed “The 6-7 Kid” — shouting the phrase while another juggled his hands cemented his place in Internet culture.
What does “6-7” actually mean?
The truth is, no one really knows. Its meaning often depends on the person using or hearing it. Even its spelling – “6-7”, “6 7” or “six seven” – is still debated.
Dictionary.com suggests that it could express something like “so-so” or “maybe this, maybe that,” especially when paired with a hand-juggling gesture. Meanwhile, Merriam-Webster defines it as “a nonsensical expression used especially by teenagers and tweens.”
Many young users only use it to confuse or annoy adults. “It’s nonsensical, pervasive, and nonsensical. In other words, it has all the hallmarks of brain rot,” he told Dictionary.com, adding that it still holds a “meaningful” social value because of the shared connection it creates.
Parents, teachers and influencers were all trying to decode this phenomenon. Some educators have banned it from classrooms, while others — and even parents — have played it down with Halloween costumes or playful videos.
The trend has now spread beyond TikTok and appeared in the NFL as a playful celebratory gesture after big plays.
Dictionary.com said it chooses its Word of the Year based on how language shapes our communication and reflects social behavior. Searches for “6-7” have increased more than sixfold since June and are still climbing.
“The word of the year isn’t just about popular usage; it reveals the stories we tell ourselves and how we’ve changed over the year,” the site noted.
