The phrase “6-7” has become a viral phenomenon in classrooms, particularly in the United States and Europe, although the young people themselves, such as Ashlyn Sumpter, 10, from Indiana, confirm that “there is actually no meaning behind it.” In Catalonia, Roc, 10, associates it with the “Brainrot” universe, characters invented by AI.
“"It doesn't have a definition, it's part of the Brainrot universe [AI-invented characters formed by two elements, like a shark with human legs]."
This trend is part of the old adolescent trick of confusing adults, now accelerated by social media. The term “6-7” was even chosen as the word of the year by Dictionary.com, which recognized it as “impossible to define.” Previously, in 1992, Megan Jasper already tricked The New York Times by inventing “grunge” slang like swingin’ on the flippity-flop.
“Brainrot” humor includes absurd characters like Ballerina Cappuccina and Tralalero Tralala. Furthermore, Generation Z in Europe has adopted the ritual Pudding mit Gabel (eating pudding with a fork in a park). These trends are seen by experts like Alma Fabiani, content director at Screenshot, as an effort to become unknowable in a world where they are constantly exposed.
“"I think they know everyone is watching them."
Casey Lewis, author of the newsletter After School, suggests that “6-7” is a message to nosy adults: “Let them exist in our own space.” Kristen Choi, 22, views this abstract humor as a way to cope with entering adulthood in a complex world, describing it as copium (a blend of 'cope' and 'opium').
