The phrase “6-7” has been deemed “cooked” and is facing a potential “massive full-stop” in usage, according to respondents to an annual survey of overused and misused words and phrases. The assessment comes from Lake Superior State University’s 50th annual “Banished Words List,” released Thursday.
A Half-Century of Linguistic Critique
The list, which began in 1976 as a New Year’s Eve party idea, identifies words and phrases considered to be misused or overused. Around 1,400 submissions were received from across the United States and internationally, including from Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Japan.
Joining “6-7” on the top 10 list are “demure,” “incentivize,” “perfect,” “gift/gifted,” “my bad,” and “reach out.” Notably, “my bad” and “reach out” have appeared on the list previously, in 1998 and 1994 respectively.
The Mystery of “6-7”
The phrase “6-7” gained prominence over the summer, particularly among Gen Z, and is largely considered an inside joke fueled by social media. Dictionary.com even named it their 2025 word of the year, while other dictionaries selected “slop” and “rage bait.” Despite its popularity, the meaning of “6-7” remains elusive, with Dictionary.com editors admitting, “Don’t worry, because we’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means.”
The phrase can be spoken as “six, seven” or combined as the number 67, and has even found its way into sporting events, eliciting reactions from fans when a team reaches that score.
The selection of “6-7” follows other culturally relevant terms that have topped the list in recent years, including “quid pro quo” in 2019 and “fake news” in 2017.
Reactions to the phrase are mixed. Alana Bobbitt, a 19-year-old student at the University of Michigan, finds “joy” in using it, despite not fully understanding its meaning. Jalen Brezzell, also a student at the University of Michigan, admits he doesn’t “get the joke” and avoids using it, though he acknowledges using other phrases on the list, such as “cooked,” which he defines as meaning “give it up, it’s over.”
Lake Superior State University president David Travis suggests that some phrases, like “at the end of the day,” are likely to remain in common usage for the foreseeable future, while others, like “6-7,” may be more fleeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Banished Words List”?
It’s an annual list released by Lake Superior State University identifying words and phrases considered overused or misused. It began in 1976 as a New Year’s Eve party idea.
Why was “6-7” chosen as a top word to banish?
Respondents to the university’s survey indicated that “6-7” is overused and its meaning is unclear, even to those who use it. It was also selected as Dictionary.com’s 2025 word of the year.
Will “6-7” disappear from use entirely?
According to Lake Superior State University president David Travis, “I think ‘6-7,’ next year, will be gone.”
As language continues to evolve, particularly with the influence of social media, it remains to be seen which phrases will endure and which will fade into obscurity. Will the attempt to “banish” these words have any lasting impact on how we communicate?
