Ever heard kids erupt in laughter, chanting '6-7'? It's the latest craze sweeping classrooms, leaving adults baffled. What does it mean? Why is it so popular? Let's dive in!
When Jennifer Trujillo, a middle school teacher, first encountered her students joyfully yelling 'six, seven,' she turned to the ultimate source: her teenage daughter. The response? A simple, yet frustrating, 'Mom, nobody knows.'
And yet, this enigmatic phrase is everywhere, from school hallways to social media. It's even become so pervasive that some schools have taken the drastic step of banning '67'!
But here's where it gets controversial... The origins of '6-7' can be traced back to a song by Philadelphia rapper Skrilla. He admitted that he never intended for the song to have a deeper meaning. However, after he leaked it in late 2024, teens quickly adopted it.
Skrilla himself sees the trend positively, viewing '6-7' as a source of fun and positivity. But what happens when this 'fun' disrupts the classroom?
It's become a pop culture phenomenon. The phrase has been referenced in shows like 'Abbott Elementary' and even became the central plot of a 'South Park' episode.
One video showed teens celebrating wildly at In-N-Out when order number 67 was called. As Trujillo noted, you don't realize how often you encounter '67' until middle schoolers start pointing it out!
Desarie Alvarez, an 8th-grade student, describes the phrase as random but undeniably funny to her classmates. Some teachers have responded by disciplining students or banning the phrase altogether. Others, like Principal Carlos Ochoa, have adopted a more flexible approach, either allowing students to get it out of their system or even joining in the fun to make it less appealing.
But why does this trend endure? A viral trend's lifespan can be incredibly short. Karen North, a professor of digital social media, suggests the trend's longevity is unusual, given the song's release date. It gained traction after being shared on social media.
It's tough to pinpoint exactly when '6-7' took off. However, in March, basketball influencer Cam Wilder posted a video featuring the phrase. More recently, Charlotte Hornets player LaMelo Ball, who stands 6'7", has incorporated the song into his TikTok videos.
North believes the trend's resurgence is partly due to teachers' reactions. As she puts it, there's nothing middle and elementary schoolers enjoy more than seeing teachers get upset, especially when they can't stop the trend.
Children can even argue that they're not breaking any rules if they simply cheer when they encounter '67' in the real world.
So, what's the deal with '6-7'? It's a secret code, a way for kids to feel like they're part of an 'in crowd.' It's become a game, as adults can't avoid the numbers six and seven in everyday life.
North reminds us that every generation has its secret code. What was once 'the bee's knees' became 'groovy,' and then 'fire.' The difference now is how social media rapidly amplifies these phrases, giving them a shorter lifespan.
Before '6-7,' there was 'Skibidi.' This originated from an animated video, but it's rarely used now.
Perhaps, as Trujillo suggests, these silly phrases are simply this generation's way of telling us to lighten up. In a world with so many serious issues, maybe we should not get so worked up about two little numbers.
What do you think? Is '6-7' just harmless fun, or is it a disruptive distraction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
