A viral meme has taken hold in UK classrooms, leaving many a maths teacher bewildered and exasperated. Four out of five secondary school teachers reported encountering 'six-seven' last week, while 90% of younger educators fell prey to its mysterious allure – even primary school teachers weren't immune, with half reporting hearing the enigmatic slang.
The meme's origins can be traced back to a US basketball game earlier this year, where it was popularised by a content creator. Despite its unclear definition, interpretations ranging from 'meh' sentiment to acknowledging numbers, students have taken to incorporating it into their school lives – even requesting 'six-seven' be painted on their faces for half-term discos.
Maths teachers are the most affected, as might be expected given the prevalence of six and seven in numeracy. However, the phenomenon extends beyond maths lessons, with students interrupting PE sessions by chanting 'six-seven' at the mere mention of page 67 or other phrases containing the numbers.
A maths teacher in London described it as "the most brain dead meme in history", highlighting its meaninglessness and use by some children as an excuse to make noise. This sentiment is echoed by Teacher Tapp's spokesperson, who stated that even younger teachers are perplexed: "What does it mean? No one knows."
While disruption is evident, some headteachers remain pragmatic – Caroline Lowing, a Hampshire headteacher, suggests 'six-seven' will likely run its course: "As with every craze, we just ride the wave until it dies down. I think it'll be over soon and we move on to the next thing," she commented.
The survey indicates 'six-seven' has surpassed last year's dominant meme, 'skibidi', in terms of classroom prevalence – and a new phrase is gaining traction: 'cooked' or 'cook', slang for continue or finish. Nearly half of secondary teachers already report having heard it recently, according to the polling app.