Why Children Are Suddenly Saying ‘41’ — and What It Actually Means
When you stumble across yet another piece of slang you’ve never heard before, it’s hard not to feel your age creeping up on you. Just when we finally figured out what “six seven” meant, Gen Alpha has already moved on, and we’re left trying to keep up.
If you work in a school or have a younger sibling, you’ve probably heard the latest phrases echoing down the halls, each one stranger than the last.
For a while, shouting “six seven” was the thing to do, a mysterious chant that seemed to unite every group of children in sight. But that was yesterday’s news.
Now, there’s a new number taking over playgrounds and TikTok comment sections alike. Gen Alpha’s newest linguistic obsession? “41.”
What Does the Slang “41” Mean?
The popularity of “six seven” is actually what gave rise to “41.” Many teenagers on TikTok claim that the phrase is taking the place of “six seven.”
Like “six seven,” “41” is basically a nonsensical phrase. Children use it more like a bird call or whistle, a way to signal belonging rather than to communicate meaning.
Saying “41” means they’re in on the joke and part of the moment. One TikTok teacher put it simply: “Just like the ‘six seven’ meme, it means absolutely nothing.”
“41” originates from a rap song by Blizzi Boi. The rapper, who says he’s in his 40s, raps about things related to the number 41, such as having “41 cars” and “41 goals.”
Some debate whether the lyric says “goals” or “golds,” but the line “41 but I got 41 goals/gold” is what went viral.
Blizzi Boi shared clips of himself performing the hook with age filters, captioning them “Did unc snap?”
The videos quickly became a meme. The accompanying hand gesture, an “upside-down” version of the “six seven” dance, involves flipping your hands palm-down and swaying them back and forth in front of your chest.
Things Parents Should Know
Even though the “41” meme is mostly just another silly slang term children love to latch onto, parents should still be aware of its origins. Most children who say “41” are simply repeating what their friends say.
However, since the term comes from a song that contains sexual lyrics, it may not be appropriate for younger audiences. If you hear your child using it, it’s worth asking where they heard it and learning more about the media they’re consuming.
Ultimately, talking with your child about slang can open up conversations about memes, online trends, and what it means to be part of a shared culture.
There’s more to this than meets the eye; it’s about media literacy, social belonging, and communication in the digital age.
For most kids, though, “41” is just a fun, playful way of showing they’re part of the group, laughing at the same jokes and staying in the loop.
Like a bird call, nonsensical phrases such as “41” let them signal who’s on the same wavelength, chirping across the playground to say, “We’re in this together.”
