At a Glance
- 50th Banished Words List released by Lake Superior State University.
- Gen Z’s viral phrase “6-7” tops the list.
- 1,400 submissions came from all 50 states and countries like Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Japan.
- Why it matters: The list shows how college students shape language trends and highlights a phrase that has baffled adults and dictionaries alike.
The 50th Banished Words List was unveiled Thursday by Lake Superior State University, cataloguing the most overused and misused words and phrases among college students. The top 10 include “6-7”, demure, incentivize, perfect, gift/gifted, my bad, and reach out. About 1,400 submissions were received from every U.S. state and international locations such as Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Japan.
- Top 10 words
- 1. 6-7
- 2. demure
- 3. incentivize
- 4. perfect
- 5. gift/gifted
- 6. my bad
- 7. reach out
- 8. cooked
- 9. at the end of the day
- 10. (other
What “6-7” Means
The phrase exploded over the summer among Gen Z and is considered by many to be a nonsensical inside joke. Dictionary.com selected it as the 2025 word of the year, while other dictionaries chose slop and rage bait. The editors admit they are still trying to figure out its meaning.
David Travis stated:
> “The list definitely represents the fad and vernacular trends of the younger generation. Social media allows a greater opportunity to misunderstand or misuse words. We’re using terms that are shared through texting, primarily, or through posting with no body language or tone context. It’s very easy to misunderstand these words.”
Student Voices
Alana Bobbitt, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Michigan, embraces the phrase:
> “I find joy in it. It’s a little bit silly, and even though I don’t understand what it means, it’s fun to use.”
Jalen Brezzell, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, admits he won’t say it:
> “Never. I don’t really get the joke.”
He does, however, use other words on the list, such as cooked, which he explains means “give it up, it’s over.”
Language Longevity
David Travis noted that some phrases will stick around forever, like at the end of the day. He used my bad today and feels comfortable with it. He believes that while some terms will remain in perpetuity, 6-7 will likely disappear next year.
Key Takeaways
- Lake Superior State University’s 50th Banished Words List highlights Gen Z’s viral phrase “6-7.”
- The phrase has baffled adults, dictionaries, and even students who use it for fun.
- Experts predict the phrase will fade, while other words like my bad will endure.
The list underscores how language evolves in college culture, and whether “6-7” will survive the trend remains to be seen.
