Number 1, for example, is paired with the classical phrase Kelly’s Eye. It is used as military slang related to Ned Kelly, an Australian symbolised as one of the greatest heroes.

 The nickname is also linked to the popular British Valiant comic strip featuring Kelly, a magic amulet character.

During World War II, it was common for the British army doctors to prescribe the number nine pill to troops. The “No.9” pill became a slang term for a laxative pill. So number 9, which is assigned Doctor’s Order, refers to this slang.

Number 30, Dirty Gertie, is derived from the humorous song “Dirty Gertie by Bizerte. The British troops sang it during World War II.

The phrase “Down on Your Knees” used along with bingo number 43 was also common with soldiers during wartime.

Cockney rhyming slang

Many believe Cockney rhyming slang also played a significant role in how bingo clubs, halls, etc., called out the numbers. The rhymes originated in the East End of London. Gangsters of the mid-20th century would use rhyming slang to discuss their criminal dealings.

While there are only two Cockney rhyming slangs (6 -Tom Mix and 25 – Christmas cake) on the UK bingo call list, more than half of the bingo numbers rhyme with their corresponding calls.

 People have been tweaking the rhymes to make them more appealing to their regions. Only verses with amusing visual or cultural references have stuck around.

For instance, number 8 – Garden Gate is a rhymer, but it refers to a meeting place for gang members. Number 17 – Dancing Queen is associated with the 1976 hit song “Dancing Queen” by Abba. Number 62 uses the term Tickety-boo, which is rhyming slang for good or in order.

Movie glamour

Some of the traditional bingo calls are based on popular films, TV shows, and Disney characters. Bingo number 39, Steps, stems from the famous 1935 British thriller film – The 39 Steps.

The following bingo call with a movie reference is number 49, PC. One can trace that name back to the 1949 British film The Adventures of PC 49, closely related to a much-loved wartime radio series about Police Constable Archibald Berkeley.

“Here Comes Herbie” is a nickname for number 53. 

Bingo callers use it to refer to the well-known Walt Disney character featured in auto racing competitions. Herbie had number 53 on the doors, engine lid, and front luggage compartment lid.

The kid’s favourite fictional teddy bear, Winnie the Pooh of Bingo 42, is a Disney character created by A.A. Milne. Reputable drag entertainer Danny La Rue got the number 52.

English ghostwriter Henry James claimed number 62 following his famous “Turn of the Screw” story. Other UK bingo callers prefer calling Turn the Screw instead of Tickety-boo.

Shape of bingo numbers

A bunch of UK calls get their nicknames from the shape of bingo numbers. The traditional shape-related bingo calls include:

• 2 – One little duck (number 2 resembles a duck, with enough willpower)
• 11 – Legs eleven (resembles a pair of legs)
• 22 – Two little ducks
• 25 – Duck and dive (number 5 looks like an upside-down duck, or so)
• 27 – Duck and a crutch (number 7 resembles a crutch)
• 44 – Droopy drawers (number 4 is likened to baggy underwear)
• 77 – Two little crutches
• 81 – Fat lady with a walking stick
• 88 – Two fat ladies

Classic calls

Bingo callers incorporated nicknames that were popular to make remembering some of the numbers a lot easier. For instance, seven is considered a lucky number, thus the Luck Seven bingo call. Number 13, on the other hand, represents an unlucky pick.

The other phrases that are quite self-explanatory are Valentine’s Day (14), Sweet 16, Coming of Age (18), Goodbye Teens (19), Halfway There (45), Half a Century (50), and Old Age Pension (65).

Bingo players can also comfortably identify numbers using dozens. A caller can use half a dozen in place of Tom Mix to refer to number six, but the latter is more common in many settings. One dozen means number 12, and the list follows that sequence up to number 84.

Woke Bingo Calls

Bingo calls, slang, sayings have been subject to change throughout the history of bingo. The most recent and significant changes are called “woke bingo”.

You would probably wonder why the term woke. In this context, the term refers to players who have perceived that some of the traditional bingo calls they used in the past were rude, odd, or not inclusive. As such, they are embracing new bingo calls.

The change did not come overnight, though. Over the years, there have been claims that some nicknames like Two Fat Ladies are offensive in the modern era.

Other Reasons Behind Newer Bingo Calls

Woke bingo is not entirely about offensive calls. In fact, most of the changes involve replacing some of the outdated phrases because tastes have changed. The motive behind switching up things is to make the game more appealing to young players.