Popular Bingo Nicknames – Part 1
When playing the game of bingo in the UK, it is traditional that when announcing the numbers bingo callers will use a variety of nicknames to refer to the numbers as they are drawn.
The nicknames are given to a particular set of rhyming numbers and this is known as “bingo lingo”. Rhymes exist for the numbers one to 90 and some of the nicknames have been around for many decades.
Within some of the bingo clubs the caller will say the number and the bingo players will then intone the rhyme in a manner of call and response. In some of the other bingo clubs, the caller will shout the rhyme and the players will chant the number in response. In more modern times, a Professor of Popular Culture came up with more modern calls to be used in an attempt to revitalise interest in bingo.
Popular Bingo Calls:
1 – Kelly’s Eye. The explanation for this rhyme is due to military slang, which possibly refers to Ned Kelly.
2 – One Little Duck. This originates from the shape of a number 2 resembling a duck. Also used is the term me and you – this is a romantic rhyme.
3 – Cup of Tea, and You and Me. The reason for using you and me is again because it is a romantic rhyme.
4 – Knock at the Door.
5 – Man Alive.
6 – Tom Mix. This is named after Tom Mix who is a star of silent western films.