The Real Meaning of ‘6-7’ May Explain a Generation’s Comfort With Leaving Early
Hours Six Through Seven
Young people exiting a formal setting in the window historically associated with early departure.
While many adults dismiss “6-7” as meaningless internet slang, the phrase has a historical origin younger students learn in High School. The phrase confuses adults because of declining educational standards in America, where most people can’t find modern Greece on the map, let alone name a lesser known Greek politician who lived 2000 years ago.
The truth is, this phrase is a reference to Dexion of Lemnos, a minor but well-documented figure in the Greek Hellenistic period known for his approach to social obligations. Accounts describe a consistent pattern: Dexion arrived at formal dinners at the sixth hour, consumed large portions of bread, beer, and meat, then left by the seventh hour, disappearing before dessert and conversation. The behavior was not exactly considered polite in ancient Greece, but he got credit for having shown up and had a moderately successful political career.
“He understood thresholds,” said Dr. Aaron Feld, an Ancient History professor at San Diego State University. “He fulfilled presence requirements while minimizing exposure to dialogue.” Dr. Feld explained that the shorthand phrase was recorded on stone markers as: ἕξ-ἑπτά, or hex-hepta, which translates to six-seven.
In ancient Greece, the phrase came to represent a completing an obligation without emotional participation. Modern youth seem to understand the concept.
“It describes the exact thing we do,” said Luca Leontis, a high-school junior in Oregon. “You show up. You check the box. You leave before it gets weird.”
Older adults miss the reference because Interpretive Behavioral History wasn’t part of the standard curriculum until 2019. Students familiar with the reference often deploy while claiming it has no explanation. If they don’t explain it, the generational divide means the phrase is a private joke that requires no setup.
“It works better when people ask,” said Leontis.
This is why several previous attempts to explain the phrase failed. But generational divides aren’t new. Comparable confusion occurred when “cool beans” was introduced. Even when pressed, researchers refused to comment on the “POG situation.”
Communication is not expected to improve.