Why Do Kids Say '6 7'? What Does '6 7' Actually Mean?

The phrase "six seven" isn’t tied to any official slang term, but its roots seem to stem from internet humor.

The phrase “6-7” comes from a repeated lyric in the drill rap track “Doot Doot (6 7)” by rapper Skrilla, which went viral as a TikTok sound.

There was then a viral TikTok video of NBA player LaMelo Ball’s highlight clips set to the Skrilla's rap song. The basketball player stands 6 feet 7 inches tall (about 200 centimeters), and many fans have shouted out his height as a sort of chant.

Others trace the trend back to a viral video where a student loudly shouted “Six seven” during a youth basketball game for no clear reason—which only made it funnier.

Like many schoolyard trends, "six seven" doesn’t have a set meaning. It’s used more as a catchphrase or humorous non sequitur. Kids might say it during a basketball game, while ordering a Starbucks drink, or just to confuse a teacher.

In this way, it’s like other internet slang that takes off simply because it’s weird or funny. The phrase doesn’t refer to death, society, or any deep concept; it's just a meme.

The viral spread of "six seven" has more to do with the randomness than the meaning. Students find it fun to say in the middle of class because it feels like an inside joke that adults don’t get.

It’s the same brain rot logic that fuels trends like saying "skibidi" or making a hand gesture with no explanation.

Teachers are often left confused because there’s no context, no sign, no real clue. But that’s the point. It’s just funny. Or at least it is to a 12-year-old.

This phrase, like many viral slang terms, shows how language evolves online. Kids frequently pick up words or sounds from a video, then repeat them until the joke becomes part of everyday talk.

Even if no one remembers the original context, the group repetition is enough to make it stick. It becomes part of classroom culture, a way to joke around, feel included, or just get a laugh.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.