At a Glance
- “6-7” tops Lake Superior State University’s 50th Banished Words List.
- 1,400 submissions came from all 50 states and abroad.
- Dictionary.com names “6-7” the 2025 word of the year.
- Why it matters: It shows how Gen Z slang spreads and how universities track language trends.
In a recent survey of college students across Michigan, Lake Superior State University released its 50th annual Banished Words List, naming the cryptic phrase “6-7” as the most overused and misused term of 2025.
Top Words and Their Origins
The list, started as a New Year’s Eve party idea in 1976, now includes words like demure, incentivize, perfect, gift/gifted, my bad, and reach out. It also shows older phrases that persist.
- 6-7
- cooked
- demure
- incentivize
- perfect
- gift/gifted
- my bad
- reach out
- at the end of the day
- quid pro quo (2019)
Student Voices
Alana Bobbitt, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, says:
> “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, shares:
> “Never. I don’t really get the joke.”
> “I’ve always used the word ‘cooked,’ and it’s saying, like, ‘give it up, it’s over.'”
Language Trends and Longevity
David Travis, president of Lake Superior State University, notes:
> “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.”
He added that some phrases will stick around, while others may fade:
- Longevity: “at the end of the day,” “my bad”
- Fleeting: “6-7”
Key Takeaways
- “6-7” is the most overused and misused phrase of 2025 according to Michigan students.
- The Banished Words List reflects both new slang and enduring expressions.
- Students’ attitudes vary, with some embracing the phrase and others dismissing it.
The survey highlights how rapidly slang can rise and fall, and how institutions monitor language changes among younger generations.
