6-7 (pronounced six-seven)

Once a month a group of retired teachers from Van Buren Middle School meet for lunch. I am one of the newer members of this group and am in total awe of these women. (Retired men teachers are invited, too, but none of them have decided to attend). Many of these women are in their 80s and 90s and teaching was their entire career, whereas teaching was a second career for me. I did not put the time in that these ladies did. They have seen so many changes in the teaching profession: going from the junior high concept to the middle school approach, if the student got in trouble he or she would be in double trouble at home (nowadays many parents are of the opinion that teachers don't give Little Johnny or Little Suzy enough chances to get themselves together), teaching methods have changed numerous times (no more drill, drill, drill), technology has become a part of classroom tools as is making sure students become literate using technology. Can't forget about teaching to the State Achievement Tests in order to get a good rating for the school district. These seasoned veterans are just amazing, are still on top of what's going on in the building, and are glad to have passed the torch to the next generation of teachers.

A couple lunches ago, one of the ladies says, "What do you all think about this 6-7 thing that all the kids are saying? It's driving some of the teachers nuts! And to boot, it's a Word of the Year for dictionary.com!" People chime in about this saying, how ridiculous it is, how it has no meaning, how it's just another distraction for the students. I love to listen to these women and am so impressed with how they still keep up with what's happening in the school.

So what is 6-7? It's a nonsensical expression that is a meaningless inside joke used by Gen Alpha and Gen Z on social media and in schools. Its lack of essential meaning is a central part of the trend. 6-7 is frequently accompanied by a specific hand gesture involving moving both upturned palms up and down alternately, as if weighing options. This has led some people to interpret the meaning as "so-so" or "maybe this, maybe that," though this interpretation is secondary to the term's absurdity. 6-7 is often cited as "brain rot" slang, referring to trivial, low-quality internet content that becomes a widespread, nonsensical shared experience among younger generations. 

So, ya little whippersnappers, what's your bag with us boomers? Don't flip your little wigs when you don't get us old cool cats. We can give you the skinny on lots of groovy stuff. Understand what I'm sayin'? Oh, P.S., 6-7. How 'bout them apples?!