Culture decoded
What Does “6 7” Mean? The Viral 67 Hand Gesture, Explained
Kids shout it in classrooms and pair it with a see-sawing palms-up motion. The honest answer is that “6 7” means almost nothing—and that is the joke.
“6 7” has no fixed meaning—it is an inside-joke catchphrase, often used like “so-so” or just for chaos.
People say “six seven” whenever the numbers come up, or at random, while moving both upturned palms up and down. Its appeal is that adults cannot decode it.
If you searched for the 6 7 hand gesture, you probably saw it in a clip, a classroom or a group chat and wanted the real story. This guide explains the meaning, the exact hand position, where it came from and when it can be misread.
01
How to do the 6 7 hand gesture
Raise both hands in front of you with palms facing the ceiling. Bounce them alternately, like a weighing scale deciding between two options. The motion resembles the older “so-so” or “maybe” juggle, which is why some people read the meme as “meh, it’s okay.”
02
Where did 6 7 come from?
The phrase spread from rapper Skrilla’s 2024 track “Doot Doot (6 7),” then exploded through basketball edits featuring LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall. A clip of a boy yelling “six seven!” at a youth basketball game—nicknamed the “67 kid”—turned it into a schoolyard catchphrase in 2025. Dictionary.com later named “6-7” its 2025 Word of the Year, noting that the term is notable precisely because its meaning is slippery.
Skrilla’s song uses “6 7” in its hook.
Basketball edits with LaMelo Ball pair the audio with highlights.
The “67 kid” clip and classroom memes make it a Gen Alpha catchphrase.
03
6 7 hand gesture meaning in real situations
Context changes the message. These examples show how the same hand can read differently:
| Situation | What happens | What it communicates |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher says page 67 | “SIX SEVEN!” + palm bounce | Pure meme reflex |
| How was the movie? | “Kinda 6 7.” | So-so, mediocre |
| Random silence | Someone whispers “67” | Chaotic humour |
| Score is 67 | Whole class reacts | Group in-joke |
6 7 vs. “mid”
“Mid” clearly means average or disappointing. “6 7” can borrow that meaning, but more often it is nonsense used for the reaction it gets. If you need to be understood, say “mid”; if you want a laugh from teens, “6 7” works.
When the 6 7 hand gesture can be misunderstood
The meme is harmless, but repeated shouting can disrupt classes. Some schools have asked students to drop it. Parents can treat it like any catchphrase phase: laugh once, then set limits.
04
Is the 6 7 hand gesture part of sign language?
No. The palm bounce is not an ASL sign for six or seven. In ASL, numbers have their own handshapes—six, for example, touches the thumb and pinky.
Viral gestures and signed languages are different things. Read our Gen Z ASL slang glossary and the Clock It hand sign guide for more on that distinction.
05
6 7 hand gesture: frequently asked questions
What does 6 7 mean?
It is a meme catchphrase with no fixed meaning. Sometimes it means “so-so,” but usually it is said just for humour.
What is the 6 7 hand gesture?
Both palms face up and move alternately up and down, like a scale weighing two options.
Where did 6 7 come from?
Skrilla’s song “Doot Doot (6 7)” and basketball edits featuring LaMelo Ball, followed by the viral “67 kid” clip.
Why do kids say 67?
It is an in-group joke—saying it gets a reaction and confuses adults.
Is 6 7 a bad word?
No. It has no rude meaning, although some schools discourage shouting it in class.
Was 6 7 Word of the Year?
Yes. Dictionary.com named “6-7” its 2025 Word of the Year.
Sources and further reading
Origins of popular gestures are often disputed, so EngBen presents commonly reported histories and avoids claiming a single inventor where evidence is unclear.
About this guide
Written and reviewed by the EngBen Editorial Team using linked references. We distinguish internet gestures from signed languages and update explainers when usage changes. About EngBen · Report a correction · Privacy