The term sixth seventh, popularized by young TikTokers, has many grownups scratching their heads wondering what it even means and why it matters. The slang originated from a 2017 song by Philadelphia rapper Skrilla that probably alludes to 67th street. It rose to prominence almost entirely through viral social media use, and is undoubtedly one of the most common words in today’s youth vernacular.
Seventeen-year-old sweet speech and basketball star Taylen Kinney gave a hilarious review to his local Starbucks on a drink. His whimsical pronunciation of “sicks-seven” made his playful misuse of the phrase go viral. His influence, combined with its appearance in videos featuring NBA player LaMelo Ball, a towering 6ft-7in, helped propel “six-seven” into the spotlight.
Dr. Daria Bahtina, a sociolinguist at the University of California, Los Angeles, explains that language serves a purpose beyond mere communication. To her, language is a tool for building connections, conveying feelings and mood, and indicating inclusion.
“They have to keep outrunning us old people.” – Dr. Nicole Holliday
The debut of “six-seven” is a prime example of the increasingly insular slang of youth. That reality sometimes leaves the older generation completely confused by the new language we all use. UCLA Berkeley linguistics professor Dr. Nicole Holliday explains that this type of slang encourages community-building by way of a collective dialect. She reflects on how this impulse to stand out from previous generations has influenced psychosocial development in young people.
Social media, specifically TikTok, have vastly increased the rate of adoption of new slang like “six-seven,” “skibidi” and “Ohio.” These environments are designed to be attention grabbing and reaction forming, where phrases can take off overnight. This phenomenon is not new, however. Just ask Millennials who used to yell “1738,” an anthem born from the opening bars of Fetty Wap’s #1 Billboard hit “Trap Queen.”
Dr. Holliday’s work reminds us that linguistic trends have always had deep roots. He argues against this latter practice, noting that the heyday for shouting numbers was during the early 1900s. She recalls having kids at the 6.7 mile point in a marathon you were holding signs for. This playful scene illustrates in colorful detail how math can awaken joy and build bridges.
“Just for a brief moment, in our lonely, isolated, algorithm-driven world, I connected with those kids on something that we shared.” – Dr. Nicole Holliday
The manner in which slang spreads today is radically different from just a few decades ago. Terms like “mane” in Memphis, or “jawn” in Philadelphia, have deep, culturally significant roots in a given region. This six-seven, like its predecessors, is used to communicate an Other—us vs them, and create the feeling of belonging, which youthful people are so much craving.
As language changes, words such as “cringe” have very rapidly moved from in-vogue to out-of-favour, per Dr Bahtina. This fast-moving development further highlights the transformative and powerful role slang can play as a force for human development.