Viral "6-7!" Chant Sweeps Gen Alpha, Leaving Adults Perplexed

In recent months, a baffling new catchphrase, "6-7!", has been sweeping through the Gen Alpha generation, originating from a Philadelphia rapper's cryptic lyric and amplified by the rapid-fire meme factory of TikTok. Initially associated with NBA star LaMelo Ball's 6-foot-7-inch height, the nonsensical chant has become a viral sensation, celebrated for its sheer silliness and shared absurdity.

To the preteens and early teens of Gen Alpha, this bizarre chant is a proudly wielded inside joke, the latest example of the "brainrot" slang that thrives on social media. Much like other cryptic youth memes, "6-7" is not meant to convey any serious meaning; its appeal lies in the delight of the unexpected and the shared experience of being "in on the joke."

However, the trend has left many adults thoroughly perplexed, as kids inexplicably shout "6-7!" in classrooms, hallways, and even at basketball games. Lexicographers have struggled to define the phrase, with Dictionary.com naming "67" its 2025 Word of the Year, describing it as "a burst of energy that spreads and connects people long before anyone agrees on what it actually means."