Meaningless but Viral: "6,7" Tops LSSU 2026 Banished Words List

1,400 submissions have spoken, and they're tired of hearing a number. On January 1, 2026, Lake Superior State University (LSSU) released its 50th annual list of words and phrases banished for misuse, overuse, and general uselessness. Topping this year's list is the viral, albeit confusing, slang 6,7.

The Nonsensical Reign of "6,7" on the LSSU 2026 Banished Words List

According to LSSU, the term 6,7 received the highest volume of submissions from countries as diverse as Brazil, Japan, and the UK. The phrase originated from the 2024 song "Doot Doot" by rapper Skrilla and exploded on social media through fan edits of NBA player LaMelo Ball. Despite being named Word of the Year by Dictionary.com in 2025, critics argue it lacks substance. Even Skrilla told the Wall Street Journal that he never intended for the lyrics to have an actual meaning, leaving netizens both baffled and annoyed by its ubiquity.

The Death of Trends: "Demure" and "Cooked" Get the Axe

Coming in at 2nd and 3rd are the viral buzzwords Demure and Cooked. While Demure started as a playful way to describe modesty, popularized by TikToker Jools LeBron, its over-saturation led one submitter to claim they were "very done hearing it." Cooked, a term for irreversible misfortune, was largely targeted by parents who found the Gen Z slang draining. Interestingly, My Bad made a comeback on the list after being first banished in 1998, with critics noting it has lost all meaning as a sincere apology.