How the '6, 7' Meme Began as Teachers Prohibit the Phrase in Classrooms

Exploring the Origins and Meaning of the Meme

The phrase '6, 7' has taken over social media in recent months, and unless you've been completely disconnected from trends, you're probably as confused as I was.

Welcome back to class. I'm your youth instructor, Joe Yates, and we have a challenging lesson ahead.

Today, we'll explore the origin of the term '6, 7', and who better to guide you than a 28-year-old who still uses wired Apple earphones?

Often written online as '67', the term has surged on TikTok and is used so frequently by teens that teachers have completely banned it from being spoken in classrooms.

To bring everyone up to date, I've previously explored the actual meaning of the phrase and determined that it is entirely nonsensical - it has no meaning whatsoever.

The meme originator, Skrilla, is shown onstage during the summer at Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Joshua Applegate/Getty Images)

This phrase is expressed with a gesture of moving your hands up and down, indicating that you're doing okay, but things could improve.

The reason for its rapid popularity—it has already been used over a million times on TikTok, though I suspect that number is significantly underestimated—is that it can respond to any question, combined with the pleasingly rhythmic way it is spoken.

The trend's origin can be directly linked to the American rapper Skrilla from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In his drill rap song 'Doot Doot (6 7)', which was unofficially released in December 2024, the lyrics include: "6, 7, I just bipped right on the highway (bip, bip)."

Once it was officially released on February 7 of this year, the phrase gained significant traction.

The phrase has spread through US classrooms rapidly

The trend gained momentum when a creator used the audio to humorously suggest that NBA star LaMelo Ball, despite being 6'7", plays as if he’s 6'2".

That clip unleashed a wave of popularity.

Even athletes began using it, with Taylen 'TK' Kinney - a point guard in the Overtime Elite league - becoming known for frequently using it.

The meme is a quintessential example of humor from the younger segment of Gen Z and Gen Alpha - chaotic, catchy, and completely perplexing to adults.

Despite its widespread usage, most people, including NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, still don't know what it actually means... and that’s part of the appeal.

Class dismissed.