If you’ve ever played or watched bingo in a traditional bingo hall or even just dabbled in some online bingo you may have noticed that there are some strange bingo names that you simply don’t understand. Calling bingo numbers out isn’t as simple as just 1, 2,
3… and you weren’t mistaken if you think you may have heard something about little ducks or Winnie the pooh. Before we get to the bingo terms, we thought that we’d quickly go over the basics of bingo to refresh your memories or show you what it’s about if you’ve never played before. There are different kinds of bingo that can be played, but on a whole, it is played by crossing off the numbers that are on your ticket when they
are called out. You win the game if you cross off all the numbers on your ticket before anyone else. The type of game, such as a 90 ball or 75 ball, that you are taking part in will decide the amount of numbers that you have on your ticket. The amount of numbers on your ticket will be the same amount that can be called out by the bingo callers. Don’t be confused by the ‘balls’ in the name of your game either, it’s simply due to the fact that the numbers being called out used to
be printed onto balls. However, with the invention of bingo sites, almost all the bingo balls are generated electronically. Back to the “Bingo Lingo”. Bingo numbers are often called out in traditional bingo rhymes. If you’re new to online bingo, it may be a tad confusing hearing “Two Fat Ladies” or other modern abbreviations and bingo sayings. However, don’t be alarmed if your fellow bingo players start using strange terms; bingo is a very
sociable game and you simply just have to get to grips with the bingo slang meaning and you’ll find yourself understanding in no time. Most of the bingo terms associated with the numbers are rhymes. They were originally used in London in the mid-20th century, where they were used to pass on secret or hidden messages. These rhymes were very quickly picked up by bingo players who used them in the bingo halls to ensure that all 90 letters
could be clarified easily when called out. In a big hall, the number 15 and 50 could sound very similar, so they adopted these rhymes/nicknames in order to distinctly tell letter apart. As the use of these nicknames spread, they changed from place to place and some new bingo sayings were added. Here is a complete list of the bingo slang meaning with regards to the numbers and other strange words that you might come across if you play bingo online or in person. This bingo saying could be a reference to Ned Kelly, one of Australia’s greatest folk heroes – but many think it’s just military slang. The number 2 looks just like a little duckling! Because the British are particularly fond of tea and purely because it rhymes. Put the kettle on then! Who’s there?! This phrase rhymes with the number 4. Another great bingo calling sheet rhyme. Tom Mix was America’s first Western Star, appearing in 291 films. His legend lives on in this rhyming bingo call. A dozen is 12 and half of 12 is 6, which is the alternative bingo saying the caller could choose. The number 7 is considered lucky in many cultures. There are 7 days of the week, 7 colours
of the rainbow and 7 notes on a musical scale. This saying rhymes with the number 8, but there’s said to be something more about the history of this call. Legend has it that the ‘garden gate’ was a code for a secret meeting or drop off point. During World War II, Number 9 was the name of a pill given out by army doctors to solidiers who were a little bit poorly. This powerful laxative was said to clear the system of all ills! Always up to date, bingo callers will insert the name of the current Prime Minister into this call. It references number 10 Downing Street. One of the many calls that relates to the shape that the number makes. The two 1s look like a pair of slender legs. Whit woo! 12 makes up a dozen. 13 – Unlucky for someMany superstitious people believe that 13 is an unlucky number – but if you call house on 13, it’s lucky for you! 14 – Valentine’s DayReferring to 14th February, the international day of romance. 15 – Young and keen15 rhymes with keen . 16 – Sweet 16 and never been kissedTurning 16 marks a special birthday. You’re not quite an adult, but you’re no longer a child. 17 – Dancing queen“You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen!” We can thank ABBA and their 1976 hit single ‘Dancing Queen’ for this bingo call. 18 – Coming of ageThis milestone denotes when you’re officially an adult. Some callers also shout: “Now you can vote!” 19 – Goodbye teensThe last teenage year! 20 – One score / Getting PlentyThere are 20 units in a score. The phrase ‘getting plenty’ is also a cheeky rhyme with the number. 21 – Royal salute / Key of the doorThere are 21 guns fired in a royal or military salute. 21 was also the traditional age where you’d move out of your parents’ house and have your own keys to your own place. 22 – Two little ducksAgain, this call exists to describe the shape that the numbers make. 23 – The Lord is my shepherdA biblical reference, this is the first phrase of Psalm 23 in the Old Testament. 24 – Two dozen12 is one dozen and 24 makes two dozen. 25 – Duck and diveAnother call that rhymes but it’s also said that the number 2 is the duck and you want to dive away from the number 5 which looks like a snake! One of the stranger bingo terms, that’s for sure. 26 – Half a crownThis saying comes from predecimalization (old money), where two shillings and sixpence made up half a crown. 27 – Gateway to heavenYou will be in heaven if you call house on this bingo rhyming slang! 28 – In a stateCockney rhyming slang. “He was in a right two and eight” means “He was in a poor state!” 29 – Rise and shineThe numbers rhyme with this cheery saying. 30 – Dirty GertieRhyming with 30, this phrase comes from the nickname for the statue La Délivrance, a bronze sculpture of a naked lady installed in North London in 1927. There was also a raucous song called Dirty Gertie from Bizerte, which was sung by Allied soldiers in North Africa during the Second World War. 31 – Get up and runGet up and run when you hear this rhyming call for 31. 32 – Buckle my shoeThe phrase rhymes with the numbers. 33 – All the threes/Fish, chips and peas33 represents all the 3s available in a 90 ball game. It also rhymes with the traditional English fish supper from the chippy. Yum! 34 – Ask for moreA great rhyme, especially following 33! 35 – Jump and jiveYou’ll be doing this dance step if you call house on number 35. 36 – Three dozenPlain and simple, 3 lots of 12. 37 – More than elevenLots of numbers are more than 11, but this one kind of rhymes! 38 – Christmas cakeAnother term derived from cockney rhyming slang. 39 – 39 stepsFrom the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock movie called 39 Steps. 40 – Life beginsLife begins at 40! Who are we to disagree with this well-known bingo call?! 41 – Time for funLife has begun so it’s time for some fun! 42 – Winnie the PoohWinnie the Pooh books by A. A. Milne were first published in 1926. The honey-loving bear became part of the Walt Disney family in 1965. 43 – Down on your kneesHarking back to war-time Britain, this phrase was often used by soldiers during the war. 44 – Droopy drawersSaid to be a visual reference to sagging trousers! 45 – Halfway thereThere are 90 balls in traditional British bingo [www.meccabingo.com] games and 45 is half of 90. 46 – Up to tricksThis phrase rhymes with the number 46. 47 – Four and sevenNot particularly inspiring, but does what it says on the tin. Can you think of a better one? 48 – Four dozen4 x 12 = 48 49 – PCThis call is based on the old TV programme ‘The Adventures of P.C. 49,’ which aired from 1946–53. The show told the stories of an unconventional police constable solving cases in London. 50 – Half a centuryA full century is 100 and 50 is half of that. 51 – Tweak of the thumbA quirky call that rhymes. Could also be replaced with “I love my mum.” 52 – Danny La RueAnother great rhyme that references the Irish cross-dressing singer and entertainer who rose to fame in the mid ‘40s. 53 – Here comes Herbie53 is the number of the VW Beetle Herbie, the car featured in a number of films by Walt Disney in the 1960s. Players often respond with “Beep, beep!” 54 – Clean the floorNobody wants to think about housework while they’re playing bingo, but this rhyme has been around for years. 55 – Snakes aliveAnother visual bingo call. The two fives look like snakes ready to spring. 56 – Shotts Bus / Was she worth it?The original number of the bus route from Glasgow to Shotts. Five shillings and sixpence was how much a marriage licence used to cost. When the caller asked: “Was she worth it?” many players would shout back “Every penny!” 57 – Heinz varietiesReferring to the number in the logo of food company Heinz. The number 57 was reportedly picked by the founder as he wanted to claim he offered the greatest selection of pickles. Five was his lucky number and 7 was his wife’s. 58 – Make them waitThis is another rhyming call. Players often respond with “Choo choo, Thomas!” 59 – Brighton LineThere are mixed ideas on where this comes from. Some think that it’s the number of the train from Brighton to London, engine 59 – and others say that all original telephone numbers in Brighton started with 59. 60 – Five dozen / Grandma’s getting friskyOur favourite reference is back again! 5 x 12 = 60. 60 almost rhymes with frisky and is the traditional age that women could retire and draw a state pension. 61 – Baker’s bunThis bingo call rhymes with the number. 62 – Turn the screw / Tickety-booBoth these phrases rhyme with the number. Tickety-boo is slang for ‘good’ or ‘going well’. 63 – Tickle meAnother cheeky phrase that rhymes, but its origins are unclear. 64 – Red rawNot the closest rhyme to the number 64 but this bingo call seems to have stood the test of time. 65 – Old age pensionThe traditional age that men could retire in the UK. 66 – Clickety clickThis great sounding rhyme sounds like a train steaming down a track. 67 – Stairway to heavenAnother whimsical rhyming bingo call. 68 – Pick a mateBingo [www.meccabingo.com] is better with friends! Pick a mate and look out for this rhyming call. 69 – Any way upThis call explains how the number 69 looks the same upside down. 70 – Three score and tenMore maths! 3 x 2 = 60, plus 10 = 70! 71 – Bang on the drumIn the early 2000s, a campaign called to change this traditional call to ‘J.Lo’s bum’. What do you make of that? 72 – Six dozenAnother reference using that famous dozen metric. 73 – Queen beeWe’re buzzing about this bingo call that rhymes. 74 – Hit the floorA call that rhymes. Makes us want to hit the dance floor, too! 75 – Strive and striveWe’re striving for a full house. Hope it lands when this call is shouted. 76 – TrombonesThis pop-culture bingo call references the lyrics in the popular marching song ‘76 Trombones’ from the musical, The Music Man. 77 – Sunset stripSo called because of the popular 1950s/60s private investigator TV show, 77 Sunset Strip. 78 – 39 more stepsThis references the 39 Steps film again, as 39 + 39 = 78 79 – One more timeNothing to do with Britney Spears, just another call that rhymes! 80 – Ghandi’s breakfastBecause he is said to have ate nothing… eight nothing… geddit?! 81 – Stop and runA bit of a confusing bingo rhyme…how can you stop and run and the same time? 82 – Straight on throughAnother lovely rhyme that’s been around since bingo began. 83 – Time for teaAnother reference to the UK’s favourite beverage. Two quintessentially British pastimes; bingo and brews! 84 – Seven dozenThe last of our dozen references! 7 x 12 = 84. 85 – Staying aliveThis bingo call was around well before the Bee Gees, but we like it and it rhymes! 86 – Between the sticksNot only does this rhyme, but it is said to refer to the number 86 being the position of goalkeepers, who would spend the match ‘between the sticks’ or goalposts. 87 – Torquay in DevonIt rhymes and also provides a geography lesson! 88 – Two fat ladiesA visual representation… the number 88 is said to look like two fat ladies sitting next to each other. 89 – Nearly thereA reference to 89 being 1 away from 90 – the end of the bingo numbers. 90 – Top of the shop / end of the line / as far as we goAll the calls that go with the number 90 in bingo reference it being the highest or last number. Play bingo free onlineWhether you’re looking to play free bingo or online bingo that’s a little more competitive, Mecca Bingo has something for you! If you’re ready to win, then grab your cards and let’s go! What do you say at bingo?1 – Kelly's eye. This bingo saying could be a reference to Ned Kelly, one of Australia's greatest folk heroes – but many think it's just military slang.. 2 – One little duck. ... . 3 – Cup of tea. ... . 4 – Knock at the door. ... . 5 – Man alive. ... . 6 – Tom Mix/Half a dozen. ... . 7 – Lucky seven. ... . 8 – Garden gate.. How does bingo start?Players purchase cards and mark out all even, odd or pre-drawn numbers. At a designated time, the caller asks if anyone has bingo. If no one does, the caller then draws one ball at a time until someone shouts bingo.
How do you start a fun game on bingo?7 Quick Tips to Make Your Bingo Games More Fun!. Play different styles of bingo games. ... . Use food for the games. ... . Alter your bingo cards. ... . Organize a themed party around the bingo game. ... . Shake things up by using pictures. ... . Double the Prizes! ... . Human bingo.. How do you announce a bingo game?Ask a computer-savvy volunteer to make a flyer on the computer. It should be colorful with some artwork -- a bingo card and dollar signs -- but not too busy. Ask a local printer to blow it up to poster size, or ask artistic volunteers to hand-draw posters. Write a brief radio blurb that explains your event.
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