This generation's slang is driving teachers crazy.
Educators across the country are banning the term “67,” a meaningless expression that is often mentioned, especially when “six” and “seven” are mentioned together, with one person saying “six” and others answering “seven.” It is also accompanied by a “juggling” hand gesture.
The term comes from rapper Skrilla's song “Doot Doot (6 7),” which refers to a 6'7″ basketball player who gained popularity through viral videos and memes featuring NBA player LaMelo Ball, according to Merriam-Webster.
However, teachers say the phrase has become a distraction that disrupts classrooms. Some educators are imposing consequences, from point deductions to essays, on students who use the term.
“I've been teaching for 20 years and I've dealt with all kinds of slang; nothing has driven me crazier than this,” Adria Laplander, a sixth-grade language arts teacher in Michigan, told Today.com.
Laplander is so over the top that he made a video on TikTok explaining his form of punishment for any student who says the word or makes the hand gesture.
“We don't say the words '67' anymore; if you do, you have to write a 67-word essay about…what the word '67' means,” Laplander said. “If you do it again, another 67-word essay. After five times, if you still say '67' in this class, your essay will increase to 670 words.”
Laplander said having students write essays is a mild consequence meant to restore order to the class, although some still shout “67” outside their door to provoke reactions. She says jargon can help connect with students, but not when it disrupts learning.
Other educators have taken to the social media platform to share tips on how to limit “67” outbursts in the classroom.
“Don't count out loud in class… I was taking roll and I said, 'One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,'” Levi Hawk said in a video, adding that his class erupted into “67!”
A fed-up math teacher, who goes by Miss Gemnini on TikTok, warned students that saying “67” would result in the loss of 67 digital points, which are rewarded for good behavior.
“My goal with this is for you to develop some self-control,” he told his class in the video. “It's getting a little ridiculous.”
Monica Choflet, a fourth-grade teacher in New Jersey, says the slang “67” has become so common in her classroom that students shout it whenever they hear a six or seven.
“I might say, 'It's 1:16 p.m. class time and someone says, '67!'” Choflet told Today.com.
To curb disruption, require offenders to write “I will not say '67' in class”: six times for a first offense, seven for a second, and 67 for a third.
He also turned the term into a fun “call and response” to refocus his students, yelling “6!” while answering “7!”
This method has been very helpful, as only two students wrote lines to ignore the ban.
“They thought I was joking, but once I had them write it down for homework, they said, 'Wow, you were serious!'” Choflet said.
As crazy as it drives her, Choflet said she appreciates the inside joke the slang has created with her students and colleagues.
“A coworker and I went to a Bingo fundraiser and they yelled 'G-67,'” Chofle said. “We looked at each other and said, '67.'”
