What Is the 67 Meme? Meaning, Origin, and Why Kids Chant It
If you’ve heard a middle schooler shout “6-7” recently and had no idea what they meant, you’re not alone. The phrase is a viral phenomenon that carries no real meaning—and that’s precisely the point, earning it the title of Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year.
Year of origin: 2025 ·
Primary platform: TikTok ·
Word of the Year: 2025 by Dictionary.com ·
Main characteristic: Intentionally meaningless
Quick snapshot
- Meme originated on TikTok in 2025 (Dictionary.com)
- No inherent meaning attached to the phrase (NPR)
- Named Word of the Year 2025 by Dictionary.com (Dictionary.com)
- CNN covered the phenomenon (CNN)
- Exact first creator of the meme (PR Newswire)
- Whether the meaning will evolve over time (NPR)
- Longevity of the trend (Forbes)
- Whether the meme will be remembered in 2026 (PR Newswire)
- Early 2025: First 67 meme videos appear on TikTok (Dictionary.com)
- October 2025: CNN publishes article on the meme (CNN)
- November 2025: Dictionary.com names “6-7” Word of the Year (Dictionary.com)
- Meme continues to spread across schoolyards and mainstream media (NPR)
- Potential for new variations or reinterpretations (Smithsonian Magazine)
The table below summarizes the key facts about the 67 meme, from its origin to its cultural impact.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Year of origin | 2025 |
| Popular platform | TikTok |
| Word of the Year | 2025 by Dictionary.com |
| Primary meaning | None (intentionally meaningless) |
| Notable news outlet | CNN |
| Origin trace | Skrilla’s 2024 song “Doot Doot (6 7)” |
| Associated athlete | LaMelo Ball (6’7″ tall) |
What is the 67 meme?
The 67 meme is a viral internet trend from 2025 where people say “6-7” or display the number, often accompanied by a shrug-like gesture with both palms facing up and moving alternately. Dictionary.com (the authoritative dictionary platform) defines it as “difficult or impossible to define,” capturing its essence as a phrase that means nothing and everything at once.
How did the 67 meme start?
- The meme’s origin is widely traced to Skrilla’s 2024 song “Doot Doot (6 7)” (Dictionary.com).
- Forbes reported that the phrase “six, seven” derives from that track (Forbes).
- NPR confirmed the track was released in December 2024 (NPR).
Is the 67 meme just a random phrase?
Yes, that’s the whole point. NPR noted that Dictionary.com characterized “67” as “meaningless, ubiquitous, and nonsensical.” The meme spread on TikTok through edits and basketball highlight clips, often linked to NBA player LaMelo Ball because he is 6 feet 7 inches tall (Smithsonian Magazine).
A phrase that has no fixed meaning became the most talked-about word of the year—precisely because it has no meaning. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, “67” is a blank canvas that can mean anything, making it the perfect inside joke.
The implication: the meme’s power lies in its emptiness, making it a perfect vessel for youth culture.
Why are kids chanting 6-7?
Children find the randomness inherently humorous. The meme spread rapidly through TikTok and Instagram Reels, with middle schools across the US reporting that students shout “6-7” in hallways and classrooms (CNN).
What causes kids to repeat the phrase?
- It’s a simple, catchy two-syllable phrase that’s easy to shout.
- The absurdity of saying something meaningless provides a shared sense of humor.
- Social media algorithms amplify videos that use the phrase, creating a feedback loop (Forbes).
Is it just a schoolyard trend?
Not exactly. While it’s especially popular among middle schoolers, the meme has been adopted by athletes, influencers, and even mainstream media. Today (morning news show) reported that the phrase appears to have originated in December 2024 with Skrilla’s track, and by late 2025 it was a household phrase (Today).
For parents and educators, the 67 meme is a window into how digital culture shapes child behavior. The meme’s meaninglessness is its power—it’s a social signal that says “I’m in on the joke.”
What this means: the trend is a social currency, traded in schoolyards and amplified by algorithms.
What does 6-7 mean in slang?
The phrase lacks a fixed meaning, but several interpretations have emerged. Dictionary.com notes that some users interpret “67” as “so-so” or “maybe this, maybe that.” Others link it to the shrug gesture, implying indifference or uncertainty.
What does it mean when someone says you’re a 67?
There is no consensus. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the defining feature of “67” is that it is impossible to define. The phrase is intentionally ambiguous, leaving room for individual or group-specific meanings.
What does seeing 67 mean?
Some fans speculate that the term may reference 67th Street in Chicago (NorthJersey), but this is unconfirmed. The most common consensus is that the number has no inherent meaning—it’s a blank meme.
What does 67 mean in a dirty context?
Some online discussions, including entries on Urban Dictionary, suggest a sexual innuendo, but these are speculative and not part of the mainstream use. CNN described the meme as “annoying but harmless,” noting that explicit sexual connotations are not the primary driver of its popularity.
Is 67 bad for kids?
No explicit harmful content is associated with the meme. However, the potential for classroom disruption has drawn attention. CNN reported that middle schoolers everywhere can’t stop shouting “6-7,” a meme that means nothing. Some parents have expressed concern about possible sexual undertones, but the majority of use is simply playful nonsense.
Are there any negative effects?
- Teachers report that the constant chanting can be distracting and disruptive.
- Some children may be teased for not understanding the meme.
- However, the meme itself is not violent, hateful, or sexually explicit.
What do parents and schools think?
Reactions are mixed. Today noted that many parents find the meme annoying but ultimately harmless. Some schools have banned the phrase in classrooms, while others see it as a passing fad that will fade naturally.
The meme’s meaninglessness makes it hard to police—there’s no clear rule to enforce. For schools, the challenge is balancing discipline with an understanding that kids will be kids.
The catch: policing a meaningless phrase is nearly impossible, so schools must navigate disruption without overreach.
When did the 67 meme become popular?
The meme began gaining traction in early 2025, with a significant spike in October 2025 when CNN published an article about it. By November 2025, Dictionary.com officially named “6-7” its Word of the Year, cementing its place in pop culture.
Who started the 67 meme?
The exact origin is disputed. PR Newswire (press release distribution service) stated that the precise origin remains unclear, though most trace it to Skrilla’s song “Doot Doot (6 7)” from December 2024. Others link it to NBA player LaMelo Ball, who is 6’7″ tall.
How did it spread on TikTok?
The meme spread through short video edits, often featuring basketball highlights set to Skrilla’s song. Users would sync the “6-7” lyric with a shrug gesture, making it easy to remix and share. Forbes reported that the meme became strongly associated with LaMelo Ball because of the height connection.
Timeline signal
- Early 2025: First 67 meme videos appear on TikTok (Dictionary.com).
- October 2025: CNN publishes article: “The 6-7 meme can be annoying. Kids are shouting it for nothing.” (CNN).
- November 2025: Dictionary.com names “6-7” as Word of the Year 2025 (Dictionary.com).
- Late 2025: Meme spreads beyond TikTok to schoolyards and mainstream media (NPR).
The pattern: a rapid ascent from niche TikTok sound to mainstream media fixation in under a year.
Confirmed facts
- Meme originated on TikTok in 2025 (Dictionary.com).
- No inherent meaning attached to the phrase (NPR).
- Named Word of the Year 2025 by Dictionary.com (Dictionary.com).
- CNN covered the phenomenon (CNN).
What’s unclear
- Exact first creator of the meme (PR Newswire).
- Whether the meaning will evolve over time (NPR).
- Longevity of the trend (Forbes).
Expert perspectives
“Middle schoolers everywhere can’t stop shouting ‘6-7,’ a meme that means nothing.”
— CNN
“The meme reflects how language can go viral with zero semantic weight.”
— Dictionary.com
“The term ’67’ is impossible to define. It just became Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year for 2025.”
— Smithsonian Magazine
The 67 meme is a cultural lightning rod—a phrase that means nothing yet captures the attention of millions. For parents trying to understand their kids’ online world, the implication is clear: the meme is a sign of digital-native humor that prizes absurdity over meaning. There’s no reason to panic, but it’s worth paying attention to how these trends shape schoolyard behavior. For educators, the challenge is managing the noise without overreacting. For middle schoolers, it’s just a fleeting joke that will likely be replaced by the next one before long.
thetab.com, en.wikipedia.org, instagram.com, youtube.com, youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
How do you do the 67 gesture?
The gesture involves holding both palms up and moving them alternately up and down in a shrug-like motion, often while saying “6-7.”
Is 67 a gang sign?
No, there is no evidence that the 67 meme is associated with any gang. It is a harmless internet trend.
Why do kids find 67 funny?
Kids find it funny because it’s random and meaningless—the absurdity of saying something that has no definition creates a shared inside joke.
What is the 67 meme on Instagram?
On Instagram Reels, the meme appears as short videos where users mouth “6-7” or add the text to clips, often paired with a shrug gesture.
Has the 67 meme died down?
As of late 2025, the meme remains active, especially among younger demographics. Its longevity is uncertain.
Are there any other memes like 67?
Similar meaningless memes include “Skibidi,” “Gyatt,” and “Rizz,” which also rely on absurdity and shared ignorance of their meaning.
What does 67 mean in the context of sports?
In sports, 67 is often a reference to NBA player LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall. The meme is used in highlight videos of his plays.
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