Six Seven
Summary
An annual tongue-in-cheek language survey by Lake Superior State University has crowned the Gen Z slang term “6-7” as the most “banished” phrase of the year, topping its 50th Banished Words List of overused or misused expressions. Based on around 1,400 submissions from across the US and abroad, the list reflects how social media accelerates the spread, and confusion, of slang stripped of tone and context. While “6-7” has gone viral despite being widely regarded as meaningless, its playful absurdity is precisely why some young users enjoy it, even as others remain baffled. University officials suggest that while some expressions endure across generations, many slang terms, including “6-7,” are likely to fade quickly, highlighting the fleeting and ever-evolving nature of modern language trends.
Application
Language often serves as a mirror of a generation’s values and worldview, revealing how young people make sense of the realities they inherit. In an age marked by uncertainty, rapid disruption, and information overload, the embrace of deliberately nonsensical or absurd expressions can act as a form of resistance, offering humour, irony, and temporary existential relief from pressures that feel overwhelming or uncontrollable. At the same time, the shared use of such terms fosters a sense of camaraderie and belonging: understanding and participating in the slang signals membership within a particular age group. In this way, language becomes not just a tool for communication, but a social glue 🤝 that binds individuals through shared attitudes, anxieties, and ways of coping with the world.