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What Does Six Seven Mean? Slang, Meme, and Origin Explained

Arthur William Bennett Harrison • 2026-05-29 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

If you’ve heard your teenager shout “6-7” and wondered whether it’s a secret code or just nonsense, you’re not alone. A seemingly random chant has taken over TikTok and Instagram in 2025, leaving parents and teachers scratching their heads. This guide separates the viral meme from the centuries-old idiom it’s often confused with, and explains what the numbers actually mean.

Year popularized: 2025 · Platform: TikTok and Instagram Reels · Meaning: Nonsensical chant or exclamation · Associated gesture: Hand sign (two fingers up)

Quick snapshot

1What is 6-7?
2How is it used?
  • By teens as a joke (Wikipedia)
  • In videos and memes (Merriam-Webster)
  • In the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” (Wikipedia)
3Is it inappropriate?
  • Not inherently (Merriam-Webster)
  • May be used as a prank (Wikipedia)
  • No explicit meaning (Wikipedia)
4Where did it come from?

Six key details, one pattern: the modern 6-7 is a social media product, not a coded message.

Label Value
Term 6-7, six seven, 67
Year coined 2025 (Wikipedia)
Origin TikTok/Instagram, influenced by rap (Merriam-Webster)
Older meaning At sixes and sevens (confusion) (Wikipedia (At sixes and sevens))
Phone code *67 (caller ID block) (Wikipedia)
Viral gesture Yes (Merriam-Webster)

What does the term 6-7 mean in slang?

Meaning on TikTok and Instagram

  • Merriam-Webster defines “six seven” as an interjection connected to a song and the basketball player LaMelo Ball (Merriam-Webster).
  • Wikipedia describes it as an internet meme with no fixed meaning (Wikipedia).

The term appears in written forms “6-7,” “67,” and “6 7.” According to Merriam-Webster, it is fundamentally nonsensical. Users often attach a hand motion, sometimes interpreted as a so-so gesture. The meme’s meaning is intentionally unstable.

The associated hand gesture

The catch

The hand gesture often accompanies the chant, but its exact meaning remains ambiguous. Merriam-Webster notes some interpret it as a so-so motion.

The gesture typically involves holding up two fingers or a similar sign. Wikipedia suggests it may be part of a secret language for kids, similar to Pig Latin or the Cool S.

Is six seven a bad word?

  • Merriam-Webster states the term is not inherently offensive (Merriam-Webster).
  • Wikipedia reports it is used as a joke rather than a slur (Wikipedia).

Parents worry because teens shout it seemingly randomly, but the phrase carries no explicit meaning. Teachers have reported disruptions when students chant it in class.

The implication: The term’s ambiguity is its power—it can be anything teens want it to be, which is why adults find it puzzling.

The modern 6-7 is a nonsensical chant from TikTok, often paired with a hand gesture, and carries no inherent meaning.

What do sixes and sevens mean in slang?

Origin of the phrase

  • The idiom “at sixes and sevens” dates back to the 14th century, meaning confusion or disagreement (Wikipedia (At sixes and sevens)).
  • Geoffrey Chaucer used the phrase in “Troilus and Criseyde” (Wikipedia).

This idiom originally referred to a state of disorder or disarray. It is completely unrelated to the modern 6-7 meme.

Difference from modern 6-7

Why this matters

The two phrases sound alike but share no origin or meaning. The old idiom is a legitimate English expression; the new meme is a social media artifact.

The modern 6-7 has no connection to confusion; it’s an exclamation of shared amusement. The hand gesture also differentiates it—there is no hand motion for the old idiom.

The pattern: Generations are using the same numbers to mean entirely different things, creating a perfect storm of misunderstanding.

The old idiom “at sixes and sevens” means confusion, completely unrelated to the modern meme.

What is the meaning of *67?

How to use *67 for caller ID blocking

  • *67 is a vertical service code used in the United States to block caller ID (Wikipedia (*67)).
  • Dialing *67 before a number hides the caller’s information on landlines and mobile phones.

This telephone code has been around for decades and is completely unrelated to the TikTok slang.

Does *67 still work?

The trade-off

While *67 still functions on most networks, caller ID spoofing and text messaging may not be blocked by the service.

The code remains functional, but its effectiveness varies depending on the carrier. It is a practical tool, not a joke—and it predates TikTok by decades.

The distinction: *67 is a utility; the 6-7 meme is pure entertainment.

*67 is a phone code to block caller ID, unrelated to the social media trend.

What does 6 7 on a Merry Rizzmas mean?

Connection to the rap song “Merry Rizzmas”

  • The phrase appears in the drill rap song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by rapper Skrilla (Wikipedia).
  • Skrilla stated he never assigned a specific meaning to the chant (Wikipedia).

“Merry Rizzmas” is likely a variant name for the same track or a related remix that uses the “6-7” hook.

Role in TikTok trends

The upshot

The song’s catchy chant became the soundtrack for millions of videos, making “6-7” a viral call-and-response signal.

TikTok users adopted the chant as a greeting or exclamation in video skits. The meme spread rapidly through user-generated content.

The cycle: A rap lyric becomes a meme, which becomes a cultural signal—all without a fixed interpretation.

The chant comes from Skrilla’s song and went viral on TikTok, used as a joke greeting.

What is the new meaning of number 67?

Evolution of number 67 from old to new

  • Before 2025, the number 67 had no particular slang meaning (Merriam-Webster).
  • Now it is strongly associated with the TikTok meme (Wikipedia).

The choice of 67 appears arbitrary. One theory ties it to 67th Street in Philadelphia, but the origin remains unclear.

The shift

The number went from no slang meaning to a viral meme in 2025, highlighting social media’s power to repurpose numbers.

Why 67 specifically?

The mystery

No one knows why 67 was chosen. It could be a street number, a police ten-code, or just a random number that sounded good in the song.

Linguist Taylor Jones hypothesized a connection to Philadelphia police code 10-67 (used to notify officers of a death), but Skrilla hasn’t confirmed any specific inspiration.

The uncertainty: The appeal of 6-7 lies in its lack of explanation—it invites endless speculation.

Before 2025, 67 had no slang meaning; now it’s a TikTok meme with unclear origin.

What does sixes and sevens mean in urban dictionary?

Top user definitions

The site reflects the confusion, with definitions ranging from “confusion” to “a new way of saying hello.”

Accuracy of urban dictionary

The catch

Urban Dictionary is user-generated and can be unreliable. The mix of old and new meanings creates further confusion rather than clarity.

For a reliable definition, refer to Merriam-Webster or Wikipedia.

The risk: Relying on crowd-sourced definitions can perpetuate misinformation about slang terms.

Urban Dictionary entries mix old and new meanings; use authoritative sources for accuracy.

Timeline

  • 14th century: Phrase “at sixes and sevens” first recorded (Wikipedia (At sixes and sevens))
  • 2025 (early): Rap song “Doot Doot (6 7)” released (Wikipedia)
  • 2025 (mid): TikTok trend emerges; teens shout “6-7” in videos (Merriam-Webster)
  • 2025 (October): The Guardian publishes article explaining the slang to parents
  • 2025 (ongoing): Wikipedia page created for 6-7 meme (Wikipedia)

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 6-7 is a TikTok meme from 2025 (Merriam-Webster)
  • Associated with the rap song “Doot Doot (6 7)” (Wikipedia)
  • Old phrase “at sixes and sevens” is unrelated (Wikipedia)
  • *67 is a telephone code for caller ID blocking (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Why the number 67 specifically was chosen
  • Whether the hand gesture has a fixed meaning
  • How long the trend will last
  • The exact origin of the number 67 is unconfirmed (theories include 67th Street or police code)

“Just something the young people of today are saying.”

— The Guardian, 2025

“Students stood up and shouted ‘6-7 6-7’ in class.”

— Teacher on Reddit, 2025

For parents, the implication is clear: rather than banning the phrase, understanding its playful origin is the best way to bridge the generational gap. The 6-7 meme is a harmless joke—at least until the next TikTok trend comes along.

Related reading: Emojis and Their Meanings

Additional sources

youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

How did “6-7” become popular?

The phrase originated from the rap song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla and spread via TikTok and Instagram Reels in early 2025. Its catchy, nonsensical nature made it ideal for short-form video content.

Is “6-7” the same as “at sixes and sevens”?

No. “At sixes and sevens” is a 14th-century idiom meaning confusion or disorder. The modern “6-7” is a TikTok chant with no relation to the old expression.

Why are parents concerned about “6-7”?

Parents often hear the phrase shouted without context and worry it may be a code word for something inappropriate. However, the term carries no explicit meaning and is used as a joke.

What does the hand gesture for “6-7” look like?

The gesture varies but commonly involves holding up two fingers or making an up-and-down motion. Some interpret it as a “so-so” hand sign.

Is “6-7” considered slang or a meme?

It is primarily an internet meme. While it functions as slang in casual speech, its meaning is intentionally unstable and not fixed like traditional slang.

Can “6-7” be used as a greeting?

Yes—teens often use it as an interjection or greeting in videos and in person, similar to saying “yo” or “what’s up.”

Does “6-7” have any meaning in other contexts?

The number 67 appears in *67 (caller ID blocking) and the idiom “at sixes and sevens,” but these are separate from the TikTok meme.

How do teachers react to “6-7” in classrooms?

Some teachers have reported disruptions when students chant the phrase in class. The trend is often met with confusion, as educators struggle to determine whether it breaks any rules.



Arthur William Bennett Harrison

About the author

Arthur William Bennett Harrison

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