Australia’s most searched slang of 2026 revealed, with ‘6 7’ on top
Australia’s most Googled slang word of 2026 leads by a wide margin and means absolutely nothing – but apparently that’s the whole point, as the top terms see ‘skibidi toilet’ crash out of use
READING LEVEL: ORANGE
Google search data for 2026 has revealed Australia’s most searched slang words. Research conducted by the team at Word Unscrambler analysed search data from Google Trends for terms related to slang words.
The self-titled “word unscrambling experts” applied the method to unearth the top trending slang terms, along with SEO* and digital marketing platform Ahrefs, to find the number of searches.
Australia’s most popular slang terms can be discovered in Google Trends through the keyword “meaning”. When people hear or read slang terms, they commonly search for the meaning of the term, for example, “6 7 meaning”.
Ahrefs was used to surface variations of “meaning” searches, including “slang” and “means”, as in “6 7 slang” and similar keyword combinations like, “What does 6 7 mean?”.
The researchers counted 150 search variations of top slang terms.
Word Unscrambler spokesperson and data analyst Randoh Sallihall said the most searched slang words of 2026 “give insight into the cultural conversations happening in Australia”. “Using slang is a social signal,” Mr Sallihall said. “What people search for can tell us something about what they are trying to understand and participate in culturally.
“Slang may look like a collection of throwaway jokes from the internet, but psychology* suggests it is doing something much more interesting. Using slang helps people navigate identity and belong to a community.”
Mr Sallihall said that research by the American Psychological Association, including the work of psychologist Ryan Boyd, shows that our language choices can act as signals of who we are, who we identify with and how we relate to other people. He cited* research by Stockholm University postdoctoral* fellow Dr Alice Damirjian, who describes slang as a way of identifying group affiliation, distinguishing insiders from outsiders and reinforcing social cohesion.
“Today, new slang terms can spread like wildfire around the world, thanks to big online communities on social media like TikTok, Instagram, gaming chats, streaming and so on,” Mr Sallihall said. “The popularity of trending slang words can change quickly, but the psychological need behind them stays the same. People want to understand one another and belong.”
Streaks ahead of other slang searches, “6 7” took out the top spot with 71,400 searches. There is no literal meaning to six seven. Its absurdity is the point, making it a prime example of “brainrot”, which is internet humour where the randomness itself becomes funny. It originates from the hip-hop song Doot Doot (6 7) by the rapper known as Skrilla.
NBA player LaMelo Ball, a point guard with the Minnesota Timberwolves, created a trending video about being 6 feet 7 inches tall using the song. Kids and teens shout and chant it, often using exaggerated hand gestures as if their hands are a set of scales and they’re weighing up something.
In second place was “mogging” (also mogged and mog) with 34,800 searches. Mogging means outclassing someone else by appearing more attractive, skilful or successful.
Still taking out third place despite being in circulation for years, “rizz” means style, charm or attractiveness. The meaning of the word was searched 31,000 time. Essentially referring to having the ability to make others like you, the slang term likely originated as a straight abbreviation of the word “charisma”.
Also in the top ten was “chud”, which took out the 5th spot with 29,800 searches. Referring to a fool or a troll*, the term is used to insult internet trolls and describe an obnoxious* person who is unlikeable or rude.
Maxxing was searched 27,500 times. The term has attracted scrutiny* and related content should be approached with caution. Maxxing relates to doing something to an extreme, obsessive and even dangerous degree, but this slang term has quickly become a flexible suffix* used widely when added to any noun to explain any extreme behaviour. Some of the “maxx” trends are illegal, others are seriously unhealthy and some could even prove fatal, depending on the activity.
In 7th place was “cap, no cap”, searched 20,400 times. A “cap” refers to a lie, a fake claim or an exaggeration. No cap means the opposite: I’m telling the truth, seriously, no lie.
Down in 9th place is “unc”, with 17,300 searches. Short for uncle, it’s used humorously to indicate old age, as in “unc status”. Similar to “OK boomer”, anyone perceived as being old, out of touch or past their prime is a candidate.
POLL
GLOSSARY
SEO: search engine optimisation methods of making sure that the address of a website is shown near the top of the list of results of an internet search
psychology: the scientific study of how the mind works and how it influences behaviour, or the influence of character on a particular person’s behaviour
cited: to mention something as proof for a theory or as a reason why something has happened
postdoctoral: relating to advanced work or study that someone does after completing a doctorate, which is a tertiary qualification on top of a university degree
troll: someone who leaves insulting or offensive messages on the internet in order to upset someone, or to get attention or cause trouble
obnoxious: very unpleasant or rude
scrutiny: close and careful examination
suffix: a letter or group of letters added at the end of a word to make a new word
EXTRA READING
Is English down the ‘skibidi toilet’?
Teen slang leaves parents behind
Australia’s word of the year named
QUICK QUIZ
What does Unscrambler spokesperson and data analyst Randoh Sallihal say the most searched slang terms reveal?
What was the number one most searched term, according to the analysts?
Which NBA player from which team helped make it a major cultural trend?
Which slang term was still in the top three despite being over two years old?
How many times was “maxxing” searched?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
Audio to come
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What’s next?
Can you make up the next really cool slang words? Think of three cool new slang words that you know kids your age will love! Write the word and the definition.
Time: allow at least 20 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English
2. Extension
Create a poster. The purpose of your poster is to help teachers in your school understand the slang that kids are using. Help them to not be offended or worried about kids using these words. Use pictures as well as words to help them. The poster is to be placed in the staffroom.
Time: allow at least 30 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English
VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.
Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.
Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?
Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.