1. 老六 (Lǎo Liù) - "Old Six"
In internet and gaming contexts, it has a very specific connotation. It refers to someone who plays sneaky, underhanded, or trickster-style tactics, often betraying others in unexpected ways. The idea is someone who's sly, cunning, or untrustworthy in a mischievous way—especially in games or competitive situations.
Origin: Gaming & Military Slang
The term originated from two places:
First-Person Shooter (FPS) Games like Counter-Strike and CrossFire: In a standard 5v5 match, the five players on a team have defined roles. The "Old Six" is that lone-wolf, sixth player who isn't coordinating with the team. They are the one hiding in a bizarre, unexpected corner (a "dirty" spot), waiting to ambush you or shoot you in the back when you least expect it.
Military Jargon: In some military contexts, "Old Six" can refer to the last man in a squad formation—the one most vulnerable to an attack from the rear, who must therefore be extra vigilant and cunning.
Core Meaning & Usage
An "Old Six" is characterized by:
Sneakiness & Dirty Tricks: They win through ambushes, campy playstyles, and deception, not head-on fights.
Unpredictability: You never know where they'll pop up or what bizarre tactic they'll use.
Lack of Teamplay: They often do their own thing, ignoring the team's strategy.
In a nutshell, an "Old Six" is a "sneaky bastard," a "camper," or a "wild card."
Examples:
In a game: "小心那个老六! 他又躲在厕所里!" ("Watch out for that Old Six! He's camping in the bathroom again!")
In real life: If a coworker stays quiet in a meeting and then takes credit for everyone's ideas afterward, you might call them an "Old Six."
2. 老硬币 (Lǎo Yìngbì) - "Old Coin"
"Old Coin" is a level up from "Old Six." It refers to a master of deception, a veteran schemer who is exceptionally experienced, patient, and cunning. The term is deeply metaphorical.
Origin & The Power of the Metaphor
The metaphor breaks down perfectly:
老 (Lǎo): "Old." Implies experience, seniority, and veteran status.
硬币 (Yìngbì): "Coin." A coin has two sides, but you only see one at a time. It's hard, durable, and has been passed through countless hands, accumulating experience.
An "Old Coin" is someone who:
Has two faces (metaphorically) – you never know their true intentions.
Is hard to read and emotionally unshakeable.
Has been "in circulation" for a long time, meaning they have decades of experience in scheming and surviving.
Core Meaning & Usage
An "Old Coin" is the ultimate strategist who plays the long game. They are not just sneaky; they are profoundly wise, patient, and manipulative in a way that feels almost ancient.
Primary Meaning: A deeply experienced, patient, and unfathomably cunning strategist. Their key trait is their inscrutability; you never know their true motives or next move until their trap has already sprung. They are masters of the long game.
Connotation: Heavily emphasizes deception, hidden agendas, and strategic depth. It feels more modern, niche, and specific to contexts of complex scheming (like in web novels or competitive gaming).
Vibe: The mastermind lurking in the shadows, whose plans are so complex and long-term they are impossible to predict.
In a nutshell, an "Old Coin" is a "veteran schemer," a "wily old fox," or a "master manipulator."
Examples:
In a cultivation novel: The 300-year-old sect elder who appears kind and benevolent but has been secretly plotting to steal the protagonist's spiritual root for decades is the ultimate "Old Coin."
In real life: A business magnate who makes a series of moves that seem confusing at first, but are later revealed to be part of a brilliant, long-term plan to corner the market, could be called an "Old Coin."
3. 老狐狸 (Lǎo Húli) - "Old Fox"
This is a classic, traditional idiom with a history stretching back centuries in Chinese culture.
Core Metaphor: A fox that is old, and therefore has survived countless dangers and hunters. It has learned every trick in the book.
Primary Meaning: A worldly-wise, shrewd, and slick individual who is excellent at navigating social situations, politics, and business for their own benefit. Their key trait is their worldly wisdom and slickness. They know how to work a room, flatter the right people, and avoid blame.
Connotation: Emphasizes shrewdness, social savvy, and practical wisdom. It's a more universal term that can be used in almost any context, from corporate boardrooms to family politics. It can be slightly admiring, acknowledging their cleverness, even as you're wary of it.
Vibe: The slick politician, the savvy businessperson, the wise but cunning elder who always knows how to come out on top.
4. Scenario to Highlight the Difference Old Coin & Old Fox:
Imagine a corporate power struggle.
The Old Fox (老狐狸) is the department head who takes credit for your work in a meeting by masterfully reframing the narrative, flattering the boss, and making it seem like it was a team effort they led. They are operating visibly, using social skills to their advantage.
The Old Coin (老硬币) is the quiet, senior analyst who, over the course of a year, subtly feeds you slightly flawed data, manipulates project timelines, and creates a situation where you are destined to fail a major presentation, all while appearing to be your helpful mentor. Their trap was set long before you even realized there was a game being played.
In short:
Both are cunning, but an Old Fox outsmarts you in a social game, while an Old Coin outmaneuvers you in a strategic war you didn't even know you were in.