"The word of the year is both viral vernacular and a linguistic time capsule (last year's, for example, was "demure"). This year, that honor goes to "67" pronounced "six seven" a slang term that's been delighting kids, exasperating teachers and befuddling adults for months. It has its roots in the song "Doot Doot (6 7)", which Philadelphia-based rapper Skrilla released last December."
""The way that switch brrt, I know he dyin' 6-7, I just bipped right on the highway," Skrilla says, using a verb that in hip-hop can describe anything from a car smash-and-grab to smooth driving to general swag. But it was the phrase "67" that took off. It was popularized online largely through viral TikToks of basketball highlights including of LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets point guard who happens to stand 6 feet, 7 inches tall."
Dictionary.com reserves the Word of the Year distinction for a term reflecting social trends and global events and revealing the stories people tell about themselves. "67" (pronounced "six seven") emerged as a slang term rooted in Skrilla's song "Doot Doot (6 7)", released last December. The lyric "The way that switch brrt..." helped popularize the phrase, which spread widely through viral TikToks of basketball highlights, especially clips of LaMelo Ball. Prominent athletes including LeBron James and Paige Bueckers used the term publicly, accelerating adoption across sports and schools. Gen Alpha often says "67" in a slow drawl while making a two-palm hand motion. Middle school teachers report near-constant student use.
Read at www.npr.org
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