Parents Confounded by Kids’ Slang: The Mystery of ‘6-7’

Young people continuously develop new slang, leaving parents in a state of confusion. Recently, the term ‘6-7’ has emerged as a popular phrase among children, igniting curiosity and bewilderment among adults. This phenomenon highlights a generational gap in language understanding, prompting many parents to question their relevance in the ever-evolving world of slang.

The term ‘6-7’ reportedly originates from a song by rapper Skrilla, titled “Doot Doot (6 7),” which references a basketball player’s height of 6 feet 7 inches. Despite its origins, the term seems to have taken on a life of its own among children, who often use it without a clear understanding of its meaning. A recent exploration into this slang revealed that many children, while familiar with the phrase, admit they do not grasp its significance. For them, it serves primarily as a punchline to elicit laughter.

As parents dive deeper into the context of this phrase, they find themselves grappling with the reality of feeling outdated. One mother, Niamh O’Reilly, shared her experience of researching the term after hearing it frequently in her household. Despite her efforts, she found that the term lacks any substantive meaning other than to entertain and confuse adults. “I must be getting old,” she remarked, reflecting on the trend of slang that seems to alienate parents.

Classroom Chaos Over ‘6-7’

The impact of ‘6-7’ has reached classrooms, where teachers are reporting challenges in maintaining focus amid the term’s frequent use. Children eagerly await opportunities to inject the phrase into conversations, often responding in chorus when prompted by a teacher. This playful disruption has led some educators to consider banning the term entirely, a strategy that may inadvertently increase its appeal among students.

In a humorous twist, O’Reilly noted that children delight in the surprise of using ‘6-7’ when their teachers unwittingly mention the numbers in discussions. The anticipation of the collective response—“Six-sevvuuuuhnn!”—creates a moment of hilarity that resonates through the classroom. This dynamic not only fosters camaraderie among students but also adds strain to teachers trying to maintain decorum.

Interactions like these reveal a key aspect of the appeal of slang: the exclusivity it offers. O’Reilly’s own eight-year-old son highlighted that part of the excitement surrounding ‘6-7’ comes from the fact that “parents don’t know what it means.” This sentiment echoes the experiences of previous generations, where the use of unique phrases served as a badge of honor among youth.

The Evolution of Slang

Reflecting on her own childhood in the 1990s, O’Reilly recalls using phrases like “psych” and “dope,” which, like ‘6-7’, served to differentiate her generation from that of her parents. The continuous evolution of language is a rite of passage for younger generations, and each new term signifies a cultural shift that older generations may struggle to comprehend.

As slang evolves, it creates a natural cycle where phrases come into vogue and fade away, only to be replaced by new expressions. While ‘6-7’ may currently reign supreme in youth culture, it is likely to be supplanted by another term that elicits the same confusion among adults.

In conclusion, the ever-changing landscape of slang serves as a reminder that language is not static. Each generation develops its own dialect, often leaving the previous one feeling disconnected. For parents, embracing this change may be the key to staying relevant. O’Reilly suggests that one way to bridge this gap is for adults to adopt these terms themselves, thereby diluting their novelty and reclaiming a sense of connection with their children.