Bingo is a game that transcends numbers and taps into a rich tapestry of culture, tradition, and humor. At the heart of this beloved pastime are the bingo calls https://www.paisley.org.uk/2022/04/the-complete-list-of-bingo-calls/ – unique phrases that turn each number into its own mini-narrative. These creative, rhyming phrases were developed as practical solutions to help players distinguish the different sounds of each number, especially in noisy environments. They have since evolved into a vibrant language of their own, incorporating elements of pop culture.
From Pooh to Ghandi, we’ve uncovered a wealth of interesting back-stories behind some of the most popular and famous bingo number rhymes. Some of the funniest callers use humour to entertain their players, while others use their imaginations to create clever puns or wordplay.
One of the most famous calls is ‘Two Fat Ladies 88’, which is a play on the popular television show with the same name. This call is a favourite with punnists and linguists, and it’s also a great way to keep the energy in the room high! More information here https://www.offthemrkt.com/lifestyle/sites-not-covered-by-gamstop-for-true-players.
Other rhyming bingo calls include ’Clickety Click’ for 4, based on the sound the number makes when said aloud, and ‘Kelly’s Eye’, which refers to Australian outlaw Ned Kelly. Number 13 is unlucky for some people, so the number 13 call is a bit of an antidote to that! Another witty number call is ‘Ghandi’s Breakfast’, which references both his fasting and the fact that the number 80 looks like him sat cross legged with nothing to eat.
Many bingo calls are based on popular culture and are designed to appeal to a younger audience. Some, such as ’Heinz’s 57 varieties’, are well known brand names. Others, such as ’5 x 12 = five dozen’ and ’tickety-boo’ are rhyming play on the word ‘ticket’. Number 7 is a lucky number for some people, so the caller may say ‘Tom Mix’ in reference to American Western star Tom Mix. Alternatively, they could use the saying ’Garden Gate’ which rhymes with 8. This was used by the army in WWII to describe a secret meeting place for smugglers and other ne’er do-wells!
While some of these classic bingo number calls have stood the test of time, some are being replaced by newer phrasings. For example, the UK holiday camp Butlins waved goodbye to their classic call 'Number 16 Never Been Kissed' in 2003, and swapped it for 'Sweet Sixteen'. Other numbers are being changed for more modern references – 'Dancing Queen' became 'Selfie Queen', and the number 17 call was previously 'Gareth Gates' in honour of the former Pop Idol winner.
