How '6, 7' meme originated as teachers ban phrase from classrooms

The phrase '6, 7' has plagued social media in the last few months, and unless you've been raw-dogging life this past year, then you're likely as stumped as I was.

Welcome back to the classroom. I'm your youth teacher, Joe Yates, and we've got an agonizing lesson ahead of us.

Today, we're going to be learning all about the origin of the term '6, 7', and who better to teach it you than a 28-year-old man who still uses wired Apple earphones?

The term, which is often typed online as '67', has exploded across TikTok and is being used that frequently by teenagers that it has led to teachers outright banning the phrase from even being muttered in classrooms.

To get everyone up to speed, I've dived into the real meaning of the phrase previously, and concluded that it's just nonsensical - there is absolutely no meaning of it.

The meme father, Skrilla, pictured onstage in the summer at Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Joshua Applegate/Getty Images)

It's said while moving your hands up and down as if you're suggesting you're alright, but that things could be better.

While the reason for it catching on so rapidly - it's already been used over a million times on TikTok, although I'd imagine that figure is dramatically lower than the actual number - is because it can be used to reply to any question, as well as the satisfyingly harmonious way it's said.

As for the trend's origin, it can be traced rather easily back to the American rapper Skrilla, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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

After it was officially released on February 7 of this year, the phrase took on a life of its own.

The phrase has swept through US classrooms like the plague (Getty stock)

Things really took off when a creator used the audio to joke that NBA star LaMelo Ball, despite being 6'7", plays like he’s 6'2".

That clip opened the floodgates.

Even athletes starting using it, with Taylen 'TK' Kinney - a point guard in the Overtime Elite league - becoming renowned for overusing it.

The meme is a prime example of the younger portion of Gen Z, as well as Gen Alpha, humor - chaotic, catchy, and utterly baffling to adults.

Despite its widespread use, most people still have no idea what it actually means, including NBA Hall of Famer, Shaquille O'Neal... and that’s kind of the point.

Class is adjourned.