

The game of bingo is quite entertaining and easy to play. Many people who have had a chance to experience the calling of bingo tickets agree that nicknames assigned to each number help spice up things.
There’s a combination of funny, dirty, and rhyming phrases that keep players highly engaged in the game. A majority of the bingo calls date back many decades.
If you are getting started with bingo, it’s best to take time to master the names for a positive gaming experience. Even experienced bingo players need to keep up with the new changes. Yes, bingo calls are now going “woke”. Some of the traditional bingo calls are getting replaced after sticking around for decades.
We have created this post, covering the history and evolution of bingo calls.
What Is The Origin Of Bingo Calls?
As historians have it, the first bingo phrases originated in the mid-twentieth century.
The nicknames are believed to have been influenced by the military, as bingo was a top favourite game that soldiers were playing regularly during this period.
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.
Before the shift, some bingo clubs and halls across the UK would ask the young customers to suggest nicknames on a chartroom. They would then go ahead to vote for their favourite new bingo calls based on the suggestions.
It is a money-making industry, so the operators have to follow the money.
List of Modern Bingo Calls For 2022
- 7 – Flexitarian
Previously, it was Lucky Seven. It has been replaced with flexitarian to encourage people to embrace a healthy lifestyle without necessarily doing away with meat sources.
- 9 – Get An Uber From Mine
You may no longer hear the Doctor’s Orders when the bingo caller reveals the numbers. So, start getting accustomed to the modern phrase Get An Uber From Mine.
- 14 – Netflix and Chill
Netflix & Chill is the new wave in the 21st century. It has made having romantic and meaningful night dates right in homes possible. No wonder the operators have opted to blacklist Valentine’s Day calls.
- 25 – Quarter Life Crisis
The Quarter-Life Crisis bingo call takes over from Duck & Dive. 25 tend to be a stressful and challenging period in many people’s lives.
- 35 – It’s a Vibe
“It’s a vibe” is rhymer, which is also an excellent way of telling someone you can relate to. Sounds better than Jump & Jive dance step, right?
- 38 – Avocado On a Plate
A healthy diet also means cutting down on sugars, and cake is one of the main culprits. Encouraging people to switch Christmas Cake with a cult super-food like avocado is undoubtedly a great move.
- 48 – Not Another Brexit Debate
Brexit was once a hot topic, but everyone indeed had enough of hearing about it. The phrase rhymes well with 48. No more four dozens.
- 49 – Amazon Prime
Today, more and more people shop virtually everything online. Ask any person around, and they will likely recommend Amazon for online shopping. Amazon Prime replaces PC because it is popular and rhymes with 49.
- 54 – Lads On Tour
Bingo callers are adjusting to using Lads on Tour instead of the traditional bingo call “Clean the Floor”. Lads is a common 21st-century phrase that means a group of young men or a sports team.
- 68 – Late For My Tinder Date
Online dating is the thing right now, and Tinder is the people’s favourite connecting platform. Late For My Tinder Date is a good candidate because it rhymes nicely with 68. Say goodbye to Saving Grace and Pick a Mate calls.
- 74 – Recycle More
The new bingo call raises awareness in the younger generation to contribute towards making our planet a better place. It also discourages them from making the Candy Store their favourite spot.
- 78 – Haters Gon’ Hate
It voices encouragement not to lose sleep over some people who are always jealous or criticise what you do.
- 86 – Instagram Pics
Instagram Pics calls, without a doubt, resonate well with young players than Between the Sticks.
- 88 – Wills and Kate
Today’s standards deem Two Fat Ladies offensive. Wills and Kate replace the phrase because they are names of the Royal family members.
Final Word
The bingo game is constantly evolving with time, so some nicknames are bound to change. Please note the above nicknames may not be used by every bingo caller.
Despite the changes, we hope some of the traditional bingo calls stay the same even in the future, as bingo is part of Britain’s tradition.
Looking to play online? Why not snatch up some top bonus offers to play bingo with some extra funds.
List of all bingo calls
We have compiled a list of all bingo calls, including funny, modern, rude and classic ones.
- Kelly’s Eye
- One Little Duck
- Cup of Tea
- Knock at the Door
- Man Alive
- Tom Mix
- Lucky Seven
- Garden Gate
- Doctor’s Orders
- Cameron’s Den
- Legs 11
- One Dozen
- Unlucky for Some
- Valentine’s Day
- Young and Keen
- Sweet 16
- Dancing Queen
- Coming of Age
- Goodbye Teens
- One Score
- Royal Salute
- Two Little Ducks
- Thee and Me
- Two Dozen
- Duck and Dive
- Pick and Mix
- Gateway to Heaven
- Over Weight
- Rise and Shine
- Dirty Gertie
- Get Up and Run
- Buckle My Shoe
- Dirty Knee
- Ask for More
- Jump and Jive
- Three Dozen
- More than 11
- Christmas Cake
- Steps
- Naughty 40
- Time for Fun
- Winnie the Pooh
- Down on Your Knees
- Droopy Drawers
- Halfway There
- Up to Tricks
- Four and Seven
- Four Dozen
- PC
- Half a Century
- Tweak of the Thumb
- Danny La Rue
- Stuck in the Tree
- Clean the Floor
- Snakes Alive
- Was She Worth It?
- Heinz Varieties
- Make Them Wait
- Brighton Line
- Five Dozen
- Bakers Bun
- Turn the Screw
- Tickle Me 63
- Red Raw
- Old Age Pension
- Clickety Click
- Made in Heaven
- Saving Grace
- Either Way Up
- Three Score and 10
- Bang on the Drum
- Six Dozen
- Queen B
- Candy Store
- Strive and Strive
- Trombones
- Sunset Strip
- Heaven’s Gate
- One More Time
- Eight and Blank
- Stop and Run
- Straight On Through
- Time for Tea
- Seven Dozen
- Staying Alive
- Between the Sticks
- Torquay in Devon
- Two Fat Ladies
- Nearly There
- Top of the Shop
- 7 – Flexitarian
- 9 – Get An Uber From Mine
- 14 – Netflix and Chill
- 25 – Quarter Life Crisis
- 35 – It’s a Vibe
- 38 – Avocado On a Plate
- 48 – Not Another Brexit Debate
- 49 – Amazon Prime
- 54 – Lads On Tour
- 68 – Late For My Tinder Date
- 74 – Recycle More
- 78 – Haters Gon’ Hate
- 86 – Instagram Pics
- 88 – Wills and Kate
- 2 – Open the window
- 8 – Sexy Kate
- 9 – Selfie time
- 10 – Keep’em keen
- 20 – Getting plenty
- 21 – Dirty fun
- 24 – Did you score?
- 30 – Dirty Flirty
- 31 – Man bun
- 33 – Dirty knees
- 37 – One night in heaven
- 40 – Hello naughty
- 42 – I’ve done your mom
- 44 – On all fours
- 54 – Granny’s drawers
- 59 – Tequilla and lime
- 66 – Kinky tricks
- 69 – At your place or mine
- 71 – What a bum
- 78 – Let’s procreate
- 84 – Sneak out the backdoor
- 87 – Grandma’s gone to heaven
- 88 – Two Fat Ladies
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