Key Highlights
- The phenomenon known as “six-seven” among children is now fading.
- Parents and adults have adopted the term, killing its popularity with kids.
- Memes and trends often face a short lifespan due to their nature of online spread and adult interference.
- Childlore thrives when it has no clear origin or material form, making “six-seven” vulnerable to extinction.
The Rise and Fall of ‘Six-Seven’
“Six-Seven!” exclaims a middle-school-age child, marking the peak of this viral trend. In its heyday, when six and seven appeared together in print or speech, it was met with a chorus of “Six-Seven!” from kids across schools. But now, as the holiday season approaches, the phrase is on the wane.
A Culture of Contrarianism
My 11-year-old daughter, part of the generation that witnessed this phenomenon firsthand, is among those who have moved beyond it. “The memes will reset on New Year’s Day,” she declared recently. This sentiment echoes what other parents are telling me; their children are growing out of the trend.
The Adult Influence
Parents, sports leagues, and even fast-food chains now use “six-seven” in their vernacular, which is a death knell for any trend that once captivated young minds. This widespread adoption signals the end of its reign over children’s play and speech.
The Fragility of Childlore
Childlore, defined as folklore created by and for children, thrives on its ambiguity and lack of material form. Six-seven started as a fun game among kids but quickly spread into adult culture, where it was co-opted and lost its childlike charm.
The Origins of Childlore
Childlore includes various activities such as jump-rope rhymes, doggerel slander (e.g., “Fatty Fatty Two-by-Four”), and the concept of cooties. These practices are often mysterious in origin, making them more enduring than trends that can be traced back to a specific source.
Why Six-Seven Failed
The phrase “six-seven” is merely numbers strung together without any inherent meaning. Its lack of depth made it susceptible to the whims of adult culture, which inevitably diluted its appeal among children.
Expert Insights
Ian Bogost, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, explains that six-seven’s downfall was inevitable due to its nature as childlore. “People have referred to six-seven as a meme,” he writes, “but that’s not a helpful way to understand it.” Instead, he suggests viewing it through the lens of childlore, which has its own distinct characteristics.
Looking Forward
The end of six-seven marks a broader trend in how children’s culture is perceived and consumed. As more memes and trends are co-opted by adult culture, the boundaries between youth and adulthood continue to blur. The next wave of childlore will emerge, but it too may face the same fate.
Conclusion
The fleeting nature of “six-seven” is a reminder that what seems like a permanent part of childhood can quickly vanish once adults get involved. As Bogost notes, “Being a kid is hard, and it isn’t getting any easier.” The ephemeral nature of these trends highlights the challenges faced by children in an ever-changing world.
