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pick six

An interception (pick) returned for a touchdown (six points).

pɪk sɪksDocumented since 1990s1990sMillennialhistorical186 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
3 definitions
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1990 · no dated citations yet
1990BornToday, 2026
Millennial / early-internet eraSee decade cohort →

Definitions

#1·Apr 26, 2026

An interception (pick) returned for a touchdown (six points). Worst-case scenario for the throwing quarterback.

"He threw a pick-six in the first quarter."
Origin: American football slang from the 1990s.
For parents

"pick six" means: An interception (pick) returned for a touchdown (six points). Worst-case scenario for the throwing quarterback.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"pick six" means: An interception (pick) returned for a touchdown (six points). Worst-case scenario for the throwing quarterback.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

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#2·May 2, 2026

A wager in which the bettor must correctly predict the winners of six consecutive races.

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#3·May 2, 2026

An interception by the defense that is run back the other way for a touchdown.

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For specific readers

"pick six" means: An interception (pick) returned for a touchdown (six points). Worst-case scenario for the throwing quarterback.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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