Viral ‘6-7’ Tops 2025 List of Overused Words and Phrases, According to Michigan University Tradition

A quirky Michigan tradition has officially put the most confusing slang of the year on notice.

The viral ‘6-7’ tops the 2025 list of overused words and phrases, a tongue-in-cheek decree from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.

This verdict marks the 50th anniversary of the school's beloved “Banished Words List.”

What began as a New Year’s Eve party gag in 1976 has grown into a global barometer of linguistic fatigue, drawing submissions from across the country and around the world.

This year, the nonsensical phrase ‘6-7’ earned the top spot, capturing the frustration of many who find the term utterly baffling.

It’s a piece of Gen Z slang that exploded on social media, often used as an inside joke with no clear meaning.

Language experts suggest its rise is a product of text-based communication, where tone and context are often lost, leading to easy misunderstanding.

Joining ‘6-7’ in the doghouse are other popular terms like “cooked,” which signifies that something is over or finished.

Corporate-speak favorites such as “incentivize” and “reach out” also made the list, with “reach out” making a return appearance after first being banished in 1994.

The phrase “my bad,” a banished term from 1998, also proved its stubborn longevity by reappearing on this year’s list.

Even among younger generations in Michigan, the slang is divisive.

Some students at the University of Michigan admit to finding joy in its silliness, while others refuse to use a phrase they don’t understand.

The debate itself highlights a growing generational divide in language.

University officials believe that while some banished words stick around for decades, the fate of ‘6-7’ is likely sealed.

The consensus is that the viral phrase will probably be gone by this time next year.

FAQ

What is the 2025 Banished Words List?

It is an annual list published by Lake Superior State University in Michigan that identifies words and phrases deemed overused, misused, or generally useless from the previous year, based on public nominations.

Why did ‘6-7’ top the list of overused words?

The phrase ‘6-7’ was chosen for being a confusing and nonsensical piece of Gen Z slang that gained viral popularity on social media, frustrating those who could not decipher its meaning or purpose.

What does the slang term 'cooked' mean?

In modern slang, “cooked” generally means something is finished, over, or doomed. For example, if someone says “I’m cooked,” it could mean they are exhausted or in trouble.