Language lovers and linguistic enthusiasts have another fascinating chapter in the annual word-banishing tradition, as Lake Superior State University unveils its 50th annual 'Banished Words List' with a surprising twist that has social media buzzing.

The 2025 list features a peculiar top entry: the phrase '6-7', a Gen Z slang term that has left even dictionary editors scratching their heads. This year's compilation, which received submissions from all 50 states and international locations like Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Japan, highlights the rapidly evolving nature of communication in the digital age.

University President David Travis noted that social media has dramatically transformed how language is used and understood. 'Social media allows a greater opportunity to misunderstand or misuse words,' Travis explained. 'We're using terms shared through texting, with no body language or tone context, making misunderstandings incredibly easy.'

Beyond '6-7', the list includes other notable entries like 'demure', 'incentivize', 'perfect', 'gift/gifted', 'my bad', and 'reach out'. Interestingly, some terms like 'my bad' and 'reach out' have previously appeared on the list decades ago, in 1998 and 1994 respectively.

The mysterious '6-7' phrase, which Dictionary.com named its 2025 word of the year, has particularly intrigued younger generations. Alana Bobbitt, a 19-year-old University of Michigan sophomore, embraces the term's playful nonsense. 'I find joy in it,' she said. 'It's a little bit silly, and even though I don't understand what it means, it's fun to use.'

Not everyone is as enthusiastic. Jalen Brezzell, another University of Michigan student, remains skeptical. 'Never. I don't really get the joke,' he admitted. University President Travis predicts the term's quick demise, stating, 'I think '6-7' will be gone next year.'

The list, now in its 50th year, continues its tongue-in-cheek tradition of highlighting linguistic trends. From the Latin phrase 'quid pro quo' topping the list in 2019 to 'fake news' leading in 2017, the annual compilation offers a fascinating snapshot of language evolution, proving that words are far more than just combinations of letters—they're living, breathing reflections of our culture.