If you’ve heard a teenager shout “six seven” or seen the hand gesture pop up on your feed, you’re not alone—and no, it’s not math homework. The phrase has exploded across TikTok and schoolyards in 2025, even earning the title of Word of the Year from Dictionary.com. This article unpacks what “six seven” really means (spoiler: it’s intentionally meaningless) and clears up the confusion with other unrelated uses like *67, the old idiom “at sixes and sevens,” and kids’ clothing sizes.
Year of origin: 2025 ·
Primary platform: TikTok ·
Slang dictionary entry: Dictionary.com 2025 ·
Number of distinct meanings covered: 4
Quick snapshot
- Blocks caller ID
- Dial *67 before number
- Unrelated to the meme
- Means confusion or disorder
- Shakespearean origin
- Pronounced differently (sixes and sevens)
- Children’s size for ages 6-7
- Varies by brand
- Not connected to slang
Six facts about “six seven” that cover its multiple identities, from the viral non-word to a practical phone feature.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Definition (modern slang) | Nonsensical viral expression |
| Year added to slang dictionary | 2025 |
| Primary platform | TikTok |
| Phone code | *67 (blocks caller ID) |
| Idiom meaning | Disorder or confusion |
| Clothing size range | Ages 6-7 years |
What is the meaning of six and seven?
The TikTok meme
According to CBS News, Dictionary.com chose “67” (pronounced “six seven,” not “sixty-seven”) as its 2025 Word of the Year. The term is described as an ambiguous slang expression that “does not have a concrete meaning” and is more like an interjection than a traditional word. Dictionary.com’s Jason Johnson noted that people are “just shouting and saying” the term, calling it “pretty novel and pretty spectacular.”
- Usage is “murky, shifting, and intended to be nonsensical and playfully absurd” (CBS News quoting Dictionary.com).
- One explanation reported by CBS News is that “67” can mean “so-so” or “maybe this, maybe that.”
- FOX 5 NY explains that 6-7 “is not math” and is used as a filler word that doesn’t really mean anything.
The most popular meaning of “six seven” is that it has no fixed meaning at all. It’s a generational password—used to signal belonging rather than to communicate a specific idea. For parents trying to decode it, the answer is often: don’t overthink it.
The hand gesture
The phrase is sometimes accompanied by both palms facing up and moving alternately up and down, according to CBS News. The gesture is often seen in TikTok videos alongside the phrase, adding to its playful, nonsensical nature.
The rap song
Dictionary.com traces the origin of the slang to Skrilla’s song “Doot Doot (6 7).” The song was then used on video clips of NBA players, including LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall. Viral clips on TikTok and Instagram paired the track with basketball visuals as far back as October 2024, according to the report. FOX 5 NY also confirms the song by rapper Skrilla as the source of the repeated “67” sound.
Bottom line: “Six seven” is a viral TikTok meme born from a Skrilla song and basketball clips. It has no literal meaning—it’s an inside joke that Gen Alpha and Gen Z use to bond. Adults trying to understand it should recognize it as a social signal, not a coded message.
The pattern: what seems like coded language is often just a shared joke—no decoder ring needed.
What does 6 7 on a Merry Rizzmas mean?
What is Merry Rizzmas?
“Merry Rizzmas” is a portmanteau of “Merry Christmas” and “rizz” (slang for charisma). It’s part of a TikTok trend where people shout “six seven” during a Christmas-themed video, often accompanied by the hand gesture. CBS News notes that the slang functions as an in-group joke and a marker of generational belonging.
Connection to six seven
The phrase “six seven” is shouted in the video as a nonsensical exclamation, similar to its general usage. The combination is purely an inside joke—no deeper meaning connects the number to the holiday. Dictionary.com’s Jason Johnson explained that the term is used to show membership in a generation, much like how earlier generations used “YOLO” or “skibidi.”
“Merry Rizzmas” shows how fast memes can combine two viral elements. For parents and educators, recognizing this as harmless play helps avoid misinterpretation—there’s no inappropriate hidden meaning here.
The implication: meme culture doesn’t need logic to spread—it needs shareability and in-group appeal.
What does *67 mean?
How to use *67
Dialing *67 before a phone number blocks your caller ID on landlines and mobile phones. This is a standard feature in the U.S. and Canada. It is completely unrelated to the “six seven” slang meme, though the similarity in numbers often causes confusion.
When to use *67
Use *67 when you want your call to appear as “Private” or “Blocked” to the recipient. It works for both outgoing calls and sometimes for voicemail. The code does not work for emergency numbers or toll-free lines.
Bottom line: *67 is a practical phone privacy tool, not a slang term. If you’re trying to figure out why a teenager says “six seven,” don’t confuse it with the phone code—they are completely separate.
The catch: the same digits point to very different things—context is everything.
What does 6s and 7s mean in slang?
Origin of the idiom
The idiom “at sixes and sevens” means in a state of confusion or disorder. It originates from Shakespeare’s Richard III, where the Duke of York says “I have set my life upon a cast, / And I will stand the hazard of the die.” Over time, the phrase evolved to mean disarray. This is a centuries-old idiom and has no connection to the modern “six seven” meme.
Modern usage
Today people use “at sixes and sevens” to describe a messy situation or a state of uncertainty. The pronunciation is “sixes and sevens” (two syllables each), not “six seven.” The similarity in numbers is purely coincidental—the two are distinct in both origin and meaning.
Because the numbers 6 and 7 appear in both, some readers mistakenly think the TikTok slang is a shortened version of the idiom. It’s not. The old idiom is about confusion; the new slang is about—well, nothing at all.
What this means: two phrases can share numbers but live in completely separate centuries and contexts.
What is a kids 6-7 in youth?
Age range for size 6-7
Children’s clothing size 6-7 typically fits kids aged 6-7 years. However, sizing varies by brand, so always refer to specific size charts. This size is not related to the slang term, the phone code, or the idiom—it’s simply a standard clothing measurement.
How to measure
To find the right fit, measure the child’s chest, waist, and height. Many brands provide measurement guides online. Size 6-7 generally corresponds to a height of about 115-125 cm (45-49 inches) and a weight around 20-23 kg (44-50 lbs).
Bottom line: Kids size 6-7 is just a clothing label. If a child says “six seven” while trying on clothes, they’re probably referencing the meme, not asking for a specific size.
The pattern: even a clothing size can get tangled in the meme web—but it stays in the store, not on TikTok.
Why do kids say 6-7 slang?
Peer influence
Kids use “six seven” as a nonsensical inside joke to bond with peers. Dictionary.com describes the term as a group identity marker or symbol of belonging. According to CBS News, the slang functions like an in-group joke and is intentionally meaningless, which makes it perfect for social bonding.
Inside joke culture
The phrase spreads rapidly on TikTok and school playgrounds. FOX 5 NY reports that the slang comes from a song by rapper Skrilla and is used as a filler word. Because it has no concrete meaning, it gives young people a shared secret—saying “six seven” signals “I’m part of this group.”
Bottom line: Kids say “six seven” because it’s a fun, secret handshake of the digital age. There is no hidden inappropriate meaning. For parents, the best response is to accept it as harmless play and use it as a conversation starter about online trends.
The implication: parents who understand the social function—bonding, not secrecy—can stay connected without cracking a code.
Timeline of the six seven trend
- 2024 (October): Viral clips on TikTok and Instagram pair Skrilla’s “Doot Doot (6 7)” with basketball visuals, including videos of LaMelo Ball (CBS News).
- 2025 (early): The meme “6-7” goes viral on TikTok and Instagram Reels, accompanied by the hand gesture.
- 2025 (October): FOX 5 NY publishes an explainer video on the slang.
- 2025: Dictionary.com names “67” its 2025 Word of the Year, cementing its cultural relevance (CBS News).
The speed at which “six seven” went from a niche song to the Word of the Year shows how Gen Alpha shapes language. The pattern: a catchy audio clip + a sports star + a shareable gesture = a viral term that baffles adults.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- The term “six seven” is a nonsensical slang expression (CBS News).
- *67 is a phone code that blocks caller ID.
- The idiom “at sixes and sevens” means confusion.
- Children’s size 6-7 corresponds to ages 6-7.
What’s unclear
- Exact origin of the rap song that first used “six seven” (the earliest attribution is to Skrilla, but precise release date is unknown).
- Whether the hand gesture has any specific hidden meaning (all sources suggest it’s playful, not secret).
- The precise origin of the “Merry Rizzmas” variant (it appears to be a spontaneous meme).
- Whether the hand gesture consistently uses palms up vs. other variations (sources describe it loosely).
- Whether “six seven” was truly popularized on TikTok before other platforms (TikTok is the primary but not sole platform).
Quotes from experts
“It’s the first word of the year in a long time that is actually more of an interjection. People are just shouting and saying it.”— Jason Johnson, Dictionary.com (CBS News)
“6-7 is not math. It’s a filler word that doesn’t really mean anything.”— FOX 5 NY explainer (FOX 5 NY via YouTube)
For parents, educators, and anyone baffled by the trend, the key takeaway is simple: “six seven” is a harmless generational marker, not a code to crack. The bigger story is how quickly language evolves when it’s driven by short video clips and in-group humor.
For a deeper look at the origins and cultural impact, check out the six seven meme explained on Ottawa Edition.
Frequently asked questions
What is the origin of the six seven meme?
The meme originated from Skrilla’s song “Doot Doot (6 7)” and viral TikTok clips of NBA player LaMelo Ball (who is 6’7”) set to that track (CBS News).
Does six seven have any hidden inappropriate meaning?
No. All major sources, including Dictionary.com and FOX 5 NY, describe it as a nonsensical expression with no hidden meaning.
How did the six seven hand gesture start?
The gesture—both palms facing up and alternating up and down—arose alongside the meme on TikTok, likely as a playful way to accompany the phrase (CBS News).
What should parents know about the six seven trend?
It’s a harmless inside joke. There’s no evidence of inappropriate usage. Use it as a conversation starter to discuss online trends with your kids.
Is six seven related to the number 67?
Only in that the slang is written as “67.” The phone code *67 and the idiom “at sixes and sevens” are completely unrelated.
Can adults use six seven without sounding out of touch?
Probably not. The term is a generational marker. Adults using it may seem like they’re trying too hard, but understanding it is fine.
Is six seven considered a bad word?
No—it is not offensive. It’s a nonsensical exclamation, like “YOLO” or “skibidi.”
Noah Foster is Senior Reporter at Australian Insight, covering breaking stories and explainers.