Each generation creates their own version of slang, and every person has their own idea, or so it seems, of what these slang terms mean. Generation Z and Generation Alpha slang is trickling through CHS in the hallways, at lunch, and in the classroom, leaving teachers thinking, “What does that mean?” Most modern slang words, however, don’t seem to last long. One moment a word is trending on social media and the next it’s considered “cringe.” Sadie Thomson (‘28) realized this in-and-out slang trend and has a guess as to why some phrases stick around longer than others. 

“I would say [modern slang tends to trend] really fast. Some [brainrot] stays longer than others, depending on how funny [the phrases] are,” said Thomson.

Teachers are also having to roll with the rapid changes of slang words, attempting to understand the almost new “language” of brainrot their students speak in.

“When I don’t understand [the slang word], I try to break it down real quick and make sure it’s okay for public use,” said Ms. Kimberly Landers.

Listed below are some of the top slang words and phrases Chamblee students are using at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, and how this slang is being interpreted among students.

“Six-Seven”

First up is the slang term “six-seven.” “Six-seven” appeared more recently in the vocabulary of many students across the United States without any warning. The definitions of “six-seven” are different depending on who you ask, with some believing the origin is a basketball player’s height, a song, or various videos circulating social media of a hand movement in which both palms are faced upward, and then lifted and lowered, alternating hands while saying, “six-seven.”

“There’s a kid… that said ‘six-seven’ with his hands going either way,” said Hector Pano (‘29). “On the internet, [watchers] took it very far… now there’s a lot of memes of ‘six-seven.’”

Some students don’t think that “six-seven” has an exact meaning and is just another popular slang word.

“[‘Six-seven’] is from someone saying his height, but it doesn’t really have a meaning,” said Ryann Krarr (‘29).

Ms. Alexandra Towner, a 9th grade biology and AP Environmental Science teacher, finds the “six-seven” trend to be overused, especially in her classroom.

“All of my freshmen keep saying ‘six seven,’ which I’m like, ‘please stop at this point. It’s so old,’” said Ms. Towner. 

“Six-seven” is so widely used that there can be peer pressure placed on students to use slang as well.

“If anyone ever sees that number,” said Madeline Green (‘28), “you’re obliged to say ‘six-seven.’”

Sean Ziegler (‘26) discovers popular slang words through varying videos he finds on his social media feed.

“[I see ‘six-seven’ mostly on] YouTube Shorts and Snapchat reels,” said Ziegler. 

Others, like Mailyn McConnell (‘29), hear “six-seven” at school.

“[I hear ‘six-seven’ the most] in Mr. John Hubbartt’s math class,” said McConnell.

“41”

“41” is one of the newest slang words to appear at Chamblee in the new school year, yet the meaning is lost with many CHS students. An article from Sheknows states, “It started from a song by a rapper named Blizzy Boi, and he said that he is 41, and he has 41 of everything.” Many students at CHS, however, have few guesses as to what the term “41” means.

“‘41’ is the amount of years until we finally hit [the year] 2067,” said Nathan Lee (‘29).

The year 2067 is significant in many teenager’s minds because of the circulating trend of “six-seven.” Although the thought is there, 41 + 2025 equals 2066, not 2067. However, when the year 2026 rolls around, the equation will be correct. Other students believe these two slang terms are intertwined in another way.

“[‘41’] is ‘six-seven’ upside down on a calculator,” said Harper Critchley (‘29).

Again, the thought was there, “41” upside down in a calculator does not show “six-seven,” no matter which way you turn the calculator. “41” was an overnight sensation, now with its own hand motion similar to the hand over hand motion from the dance “The Hand Jive.” When referring to the term “41,” this hand motion is used. According to Business Insider, this term is most common among Generation Alpha (children born between 2010-2024), explaining why not many current high schoolers understand what “41” means. However, this doesn’t stop them from using it at school!

“Crash Out”

Unlike “41,” the term “crash out” has been used for much longer at Chamblee. Many students actually understand the meaning behind “crash out,” unlike other slang words, so more students are open to using it in casual conversation.

“[‘Crash out’ means to] tweak out and to get really angry and do stuff that you shouldn’t [do],” said Burke Fletcher (‘28).

The official definition of “crash out” is not too different from Fletcher’s interpretation: according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “To crash out is to become suddenly, uncontrollably angry or distressed.”

The definition of “crash out” can be relatable for many students having to balance academics with extracurriculars and personal life.

“I’ve been using [‘crash out’] more because I’ve heard a lot of people say it,” said Katherine Thomas (‘27).

Although the definition of “crash out” is in the dictionary, students can interpret “crash out” differently based on how they’ve seen and heard it used.

“A ‘crash out’ could involve screaming, crying, throwing up, and rolling on the ground. [‘Crash out’ means] you’re at your wits end,” said Green.

Although “crash out” can be very popular among most students, Fletcher is not as willing to use it to describe his emotions.

“I feel like ‘[crash out]’ is a little too violent for my taste,” said Fletcher. 

Although slang comes and goes, it provides a way for students to bond and relate. As new generations of kids grow up, new slang will come along and there will be new terms that cause older generations to “crash out.” 15 years from now, who knows what Generation Beta will deem the new “six-seven.”