In a move that perfectly captures the randomness of modern internet culture, Dictionary.com has announced its 2024 Word of the Year — and it’s not even a word. The winning term is “67.”
According to ABC News, the website explained that the selection was influenced by global social trends and viral online behavior that defined the year. The platform said the term’s exact origins remain unclear, but it began spreading among kids and teens who frequently used “67” in conversations throughout 2024. “Some say it can be interpreted as another way of saying ‘so-so,’ ‘maybe this,’ or ‘maybe that,’” the statement reads.
Dictionary.com also noted that the expression is part of a new generation of “brainrot slang”—language that is “purposefully nonsensical and all about being in on the absurdity.”
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How “67” Became the Internet’s Favorite Inside Joke
The mysterious term “67” quickly gained traction on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where young users began inserting it into random moments of conversation, memes, and comments. Pronounced “six-seven,” the term reportedly originated from Skrilla’s 2024 track “Doot Doot” and a viral moment featuring a boy dubbed “The 67 Kid” who became a meme after shouting the number at a youth basketball game.
What started as a random sound bite quickly turned into a cultural symbol for the internet’s love of chaos. Within months, “67” became shorthand for uncertainty, humor, or simply existing in the absurd rhythm of Gen Z’s digital world.
The team at Dictionary.com said the phenomenon reflected how language now evolves through humor, irony, and shared confusion, rather than traditional meanings.
“It’s one of the first Words of the Year that works as an interjection — a burst of energy that spreads and connects people long before anyone agrees on what it actually means,” said Steve Johnson, Ph.D., director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning, in the official press release.
“67” Represents the Era of Brainrot Slang
The term “67” is part of a growing wave of online vernacular that defies logic and celebrates nonsense—a trend linguists refer to as “brainrot slang.”
Brainrot slang thrives on irony and chaos, often serving as a form of social bonding among younger internet users. Words and sounds become viral symbols not for what they mean, but for how they make people feel—funny, random, and deeply online.
Dictionary.com’s statement noted that “67” perfectly embodies this shift, calling it a “shared absurdity” that mirrors how Gen Z and Gen Alpha communicate in a world oversaturated with information.
Other Contenders for Word of the Year
While “67” ultimately won the title, Dictionary.com revealed several runners-up that nearly claimed the spot, each reflecting unique aspects of the year’s cultural landscape.
According to the announcement, other shortlisted terms included:
- “Agentic” – highlighting empowerment and self-directed action.
- “Gen Z stare” – referencing the deadpan look that became a viral meme.
- “Overtourism” – describing the global backlash against overcrowded travel destinations.
- “Tariff” – resurfacing amid political and economic debates.
- “Tradwife” – referring to the controversial return of traditional gender role discourse online