Understanding the Meme: What Does 67 Really Mean?
If you’ve spent any time around kids, teenagers, or the internet in the last year, you’ve probably heard the phrase 67. Kids randomly blurt it out mid-conversation and laugh hysterically. Teens drop it in chats online, and even celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal have jumped in on the trend.
With its widespread use, Dictionary.com decided that 67 captured the cultural mood in 2025 and named it their Word of the Year.
The Meaning of 67
So, what does 67 actually mean? For those eagerly awaiting the real meaning, unfortunately, the answer isn’t clear. Some use it as “so-so” or “maybe this or maybe that” with an indecisive hand gesture like they’re weighing two options.
Others use it at random or whenever they see the numbers in the wild, leaving many adults baffled and feeling out of the loop. In classic brain rot form, 67 is nonsensical, endlessly remixable, and accelerating in its usage.
Expert Insights
“It’s part inside joke, part social signal, and part performance,” said Steve Johnson, director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning. “When people say it, they’re not just repeating a meme; they’re shouting a feeling.”
Other people don’t see it as something so profound. Southern Methodist University junior Ava Ha is not convinced that people who say 67 actually know what it means. Like a lot of brain rot sayings, it is hard to escape.
“It’s just a dumb joke,” she said. “It does get said in casual conversation, you’re constantly reminded of it.”
Origin of the Phrase
The origin of the phrase is not clear. Some trace it to Skrilla’s 2024 drill song “Doot Doot (6 7). Others link it to 6-foot-7 NBA player LaMelo Ball, whose stature became a symbol of swagger and dominance. Viral TikToks and Instagram videos played the song in the background of basketball edits as early as October 2024.
In December 2024, Overtime Elite player Taylen Kinney rated a Starbucks drink on the league’s Instagram saying “6…6…6-7” using the hand gesture for the first time. A viral clip of “the 67 kid” shouting the phrase at a youth basketball game cemented its digital footprint in March 2025. From there, the sports world has embraced it, NFL players using the gesture to celebrate touchdowns and NBA and WNBA players reference it.
The Role of Slang in Culture
Linguist Gabriela Vokic, who teaches at SMU, believes that slang plays an important part in culture.
“Using the right slang shows you understand the shared experiences, humor, or values of that group,” she said. “Online slang often captures the fast-moving humor and irony of digital life.”
Additionally, she does not think that 67’s ambiguity is a flaw that should prevent it from being used.
“That uncertainty itself can be socially useful,” she said. “It invites interpretation, lets people use it flexibly, and keeps outsiders guessing.”
Evolution of the Phrase
The numbers 67 have already evolved beyond their original phrasing with spin-offs like “six-sendy,” a combination of 67 and getting sendy, meaning to go all out.
Dictionary.com lexicographers analyze linguistic data, track words that dominate search trends, social media, and digital conversations. Their analysis found that 67 appeared in digital media six (to seven) times more frequently in October alone compared with the average use in 2024.
Breaking News
Conclusion
In conclusion, the phrase 67 has become a cultural phenomenon, with its meaning and usage evolving rapidly. While its ambiguity may be confusing for some, it has become a social signal, a way for people to connect and share experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 67 mean?
A: The meaning of 67 is not clear, and it can be used in different contexts, such as “so-so” or “maybe this or maybe that”.
Q: Where did the phrase 67 originate from?
A: The origin of the phrase is not clear, but it is linked to Skrilla’s 2024 drill song “Doot Doot (6 7)” and 6-foot-7 NBA player LaMelo Ball.
Q: Why is 67 so popular?
A: 67 has become a social signal, a way for people to connect and share experiences, and its ambiguity has made it socially useful, inviting interpretation and keeping outsiders guessing.
