Introduction: A Non-Word Takes the Spotlight
Dictionary.com’s 2024 word-of-the-year pick isn’t a traditional word at all. It’s the viral expression “6-7,” a playful sequence that has captured the attention of teens and young adults online. Rather than a dictionary entry with a formal definition, 6-7 has become a cultural touchstone—an in-joke, a meme, and a fleeting sound that prompts laughter and eye rolls in equal measure.
What Is “6-7”? A Look at the Popularity
On the surface, 6-7 sounds like a numerical pair: six and seven. But in online culture, it’s morphed into something much looser. Users often repeat it in comments, captions, and videos, not to convey a concrete meaning but to signal a lighthearted mood, a sense of shared humor, or a camaraderie among peers. The appeal isn’t in a dictionary-style definition—it’s in the social ritual of saying it aloud or typing it to join a trend.
Why Dictionary.com Chooses a Trend, Not a Traditional Word
Dictionary.com’s word choices frequently reflect more than just vocabulary. They capture how language evolves in real life—how memes, catchphrases, and sound bites become a part of everyday speech. A modern “word of the year” can be a slang term, a popular acronym, or, as in this case, a viral phenomenon without a fixed lexicon. By highlighting 6-7, Dictionary.com acknowledges the living nature of language: what’s meaningful is how people use it in social spaces, online banter, and shared moments of levity.
Origins: Where Did 6-7 Come From?
Like many viral phrases, 6-7’s exact origin is hard to pin down. It likely emerged in memes or short-form videos where the repetition of the sequence became a goofy running joke. The charm rests in its ambiguity: there’s no single definition, which invites everyone to assign their own meaning or simply enjoy the auditory rhythm. In teen circles, the humor often lies in the timing and delivery—saying 6-7 at just the right moment can trigger a burst of laughter or a shared wink.
How Teens and Young Adults Use It
Across platforms, you’ll find 6-7 used as a playful aside rather than a substantive term. It can punctuate a joke, serve as a reaction, or underscore a lighthearted disagreement. It also exemplifies a broader trend: the tailorable nature of slang in the digital age. Words aren’t just defined in dictionaries; they’re performed in videos, comments, and messages, evolving with each new post.
What This Means for Language and Pop Culture
The choice of 6-7 as word of the year signals a shift in linguistic focus. It underscores how cultural moments—memes, challenges, and shared jokes—shape language just as much as formal vocabulary. For educators, parents, and journalists, it’s a reminder that the most sticky slang often travels fast, thrives in communities, and fades as quickly as it appears. For fans, it’s a badge of belonging to a social moment that felt universally recognizable, if not fully definable.
Final Take: Embracing the Playful Side of Language
Whether you see 6-7 as silly noise or a symbol of modern meme culture, its rise confirms that language remains a flexible, communal tool. Dictionary.com’s word of the year choice invites us to watch how things catch on—how a string of numbers can become a cultural cue that brings people together for a moment of shared laughter.
