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Dictionary.com Names '67' 2025 Word of the Year

Fueled by a Skrilla song and short‑video memes, the Gen Alpha catchphrase became a ubiquitous interjection that drove a sixfold surge in searches.

Overview

  • The site announced the pick on Oct. 29, defining “67” — pronounced “six-seven” — as brainrot slang used as an interjection and social signal.
  • Dictionary.com traces the trend to Skrilla’s December 2024 track “Doot Doot (6 7)” and basketball fan edits featuring LaMelo Ball, with a March “67 Kid” clip accelerating its spread.
  • Searches for 6-7 on Dictionary.com have increased more than sixfold since June as the phrase saturated youth culture and classrooms.
  • The meme has crossed into mainstream parody, appearing on South Park and in late‑night sketches, often with a shrug‑like hand gesture of palms up moving alternately.
  • Reaction online is sharply split and some educators report disruptions, while the selection topped a shortlist that included agentic, aura farming, Gen Z stare, overtourism, tariff and tradwife.