Let’s be clear: calling something ‘six-seven’ isn’t just silly—it’s a symptom of a deeper issue. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about a quirky phrase; it’s about the mindless adoption of trends without understanding their purpose. I’m writing to challenge Coco Khan’s claim that ‘six-seven’ could be ‘the most hopeful word of 2025’ (Each year, word of the year gets darker. ‘Six-seven’ may be annoying – but it’s bucked that trend, 20 December, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/20/words-of-the-year-six-seven-teenagers). As a primary school teacher dedicated to fostering logic and critical thinking, I felt compelled to investigate the origins of this so-called ‘craze.’
What I found wasn’t a sinister cult, as some alarmists in the US suggest, or a secret code exclusive to children. Instead, it’s a prime example of how we’ve embraced sheer absurdity. This phrase is a haphazard concoction, spread through social media to drive clicks, boost influencer visibility, and ultimately, generate profit. But here’s where it gets controversial: are we teaching children to question trends, or are we inadvertently encouraging them to follow blindly?
When I asked my students about ‘six-seven,’ none could explain its origin or why it’s considered funny. Over the years, I’ve instilled in them a simple mantra: ‘If you don’t understand why you’re doing something, don’t do it.’ In my classroom, ‘six-seven’ isn’t banned, but I make it clear that engaging in mindless behavior without understanding its purpose reduces us to mere imitators. Isn’t that a form of intellectual laziness?
True hope, in my opinion, is cultivated through kindness, honesty, and thoughtful action—not by enabling social media giants to profit from our lack of discernment. Instead of celebrating such trends, shouldn’t we be encouraging young minds to seek meaning and purpose? What do you think? Is ‘six-seven’ harmless fun, or a reflection of a larger cultural issue? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Marlon Minty
Reading, Berkshire
