Bingo Calls – Complete List of Bingo Nicknames

Bingo call nicknames represent a sophisticated linguistic system that developed across multiple decades of gameplay in British and American entertainment venues. These standardized verbal codes serve both practical and cultural functions, combining numerical clarity with memorable associations that span military history, pop culture, and regional traditions. While many players recognize classic calls like “legs eleven” for number 11, the complete catalog of nicknames reveals intricate patterns and evolutionary changes that merit deeper exploration.

Key Takeaways

• 1 – Kelly’s Eye
• 2 – One Little Duck
• 3 – Cup of Tea
• 4 – Knock at the Door
• 6 – Netflix and Chill
• 8 – Garden Gate
• 9 – Doctor’s Orders
• 11 – Legs Eleven
• 17 – Selfie Queen
• 21 – Royal Salute
• 22 – Tay Tay/Two Little Ducks
• 26 – Pick and Mix
• 30 – Dirty Gertie
• 31 – Get Up and Run
• 32 – Jimmy Choo/Buckle My Shoe
• 33 – Dirty Knee
• 34 – Ask for More
• 38 – Avocado on a Plate/Christmas Cake
• 39 – Jack Benny
• 42 – Pikachu/Winnie the Pooh
• 43 – Down on Your Knees
• 48 – Amazon Prime Date
• 49 – PC Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby
• 50 – Hawaii Five-0
• 51 – Highland Division
• 52 – Danny La Rue
• 55 – Snakes Alive
• 59 – Brighton Line
• 62 – Turn of the Screw
• 68 – Saving Grace
• 69 – Netflix and Chill
• 71 – J-Lo’s Bum
• 76 – Trombones
• 77 – Sunset Strip
• 80 – Ghandi’s Breakfast
• 84 – Seven Dozen/Dumbledore
• 85 – Staying Alive
• 88 – Two Fat Ladies

Origins of Bingo Call Nicknames

While bingo call nicknames have evolved over many decades of play, their origins can be traced to several key influences that shaped the distinctive vocabulary used in modern bingo halls.

The Historical Context of Bingo Nickname Origins reflects diverse cultural sources, including Cockney rhyming slang, visual representations, and entertainment media. Early examples drew from shape-based interpretations, such as “Snake” for number 5 and “Duck” for number 2, while others emerged from mid-20th century popular culture, like “76 Trombones” from The Music Man musical. Cockney rhyming traditions influenced calls like “Garden Gate” for number 8 and “Pick and Mix” for 26, originally referencing the cost of two shillings and sixpence. Contemporary additions demonstrate ongoing evolution, incorporating references to modern phenomena such as “Pikachu” for 42 and “Dumbledore” for 84. The evolution of nicknames continues in modern online bingo, where players in chat rooms create their own unique number names.

Military and War-Related Calls

The widespread influence of military service and wartime experiences shaped numerous bingo call nicknames, particularly during and after World War II. Many popular calls originated from military slang and wartime camaraderie, including “Doctor’s Orders” for number 9, referencing laxative pills given to soldiers, and “Dirty Gertie” for number 30, derived from a soldiers’ song. To help track called numbers during games, organizers often utilize a printable call list that maintains an accurate record of selections.

Specific military commands and training terminology became integrated into the game’s vocabulary, such as “Down on Your Knees” for number 43 and “Get Up and Run” for number 31. The tradition of “Royal Salute” for number 21 reflects ceremonial warfare customs, while “Kelly’s Eye” for number 1 emerged from Australian WWII military vernacular, demonstrating how martial culture infiltrated civilian entertainment through these enduring call nicknames.

Pop Culture References in Bingo Numbers

Modern bingo calling has evolved dramatically through the incorporation of contemporary pop culture references, transforming traditional number-based gameplay into a reflection of current societal trends and media influences. The integration of pop culture icons and contemporary trends has modernized the game, with references ranging from celebrity nicknames to social media phenomena. The game’s bingo call nicknames help distinguish similar-sounding numbers that could be confused in busy, noisy environments.

Number	Modern Reference	Traditional Call
22	Tay Tay	Two Little Ducks
32	Jimmy Choo	Buckle My Shoe
42	Pikachu	Winnie the Pooh
71	J-Lo’s Bum	Bang on the Drum
85	Staying Alive	Dancing Queen

The updated calls reflect diverse cultural elements, including streaming services (“Netflix and chill”), social media platforms (“Instagram pics”), and modern dating practices (“Tinder date”), demonstrating how bingo terminology continuously adjusts to remain relevant in contemporary society.

Rhyming Patterns in Traditional Calls

Traditional bingo calls incorporate sophisticated rhyming patterns that serve multiple functions, including memorability, entertainment value, and cognitive association between numbers and their corresponding verbal representations. The rhyming schemes demonstrate remarkable cultural significance through various patterns, from simple direct rhymes like “Legs Eleven” to more complex associations such as “Cup of Tea” for number three.

These patterns can be categorized into distinct groups: direct numerical rhymes (“Four and Seven”), visual representations (“Two Fat Ladies”), and cultural references (“Brighton Line”). The most straightforward rhyming schemes often utilize single-word matches, while more elaborate patterns incorporate multi-word phrases or geographical references. Many calls demonstrate dual-purpose construction, combining both rhyming elements and visual or historical significance, enhancing their effectiveness as memory aids during gameplay. Some numbers have military connections, such as number one being called “Kellys eye”, which originated from military slang.

British Cultural Elements

British cultural heritage saturates traditional bingo calls through a rich tapestry of working-class vernacular, military influences, and regional dialectical variations, reflecting the social fabric of post-war Britain. These bingo traditions incorporate distinctly British references, from Cockney rhyming slang to naval expressions, establishing cultural significance through everyday phrases and institutional landmarks. The game’s popularity soared as funny bingo calls became a beloved aspect of social gatherings.

Key British cultural elements in bingo calls include:

1. East End Cockney influences (“cup of tea” for number 3)
2. Political references (“Prime Minister’s den” for number 10)
3. Military traditions (“Royal Salute” for number 21)

The integration of nautical expressions, army medical terminology, and working-class dialects demonstrates how bingo calls effectively preserved and transmitted British cultural elements across social classes, while maintaining their entertainment value in community gathering spaces such as pubs and bingo halls.

Historical Figures in Bingo Calls

Throughout the evolution of bingo calling traditions, historical figures have left a lasting mark on the numerical nomenclature, extending beyond simple British cultural elements to encompass entertainment icons, military heroes, and literary giants.

Notable historical figures who influenced bingo calls include Danny La Rue (52), whose drag performances shaped British entertainment culture, and Jack Benny (39), the American vaudeville performer whose cultural impact transcended radio and television. Military figures too feature prominently, with numbers like Kelly’s eye (1) referencing the infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, while PC Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby (49) represents law enforcement heritage. Literary connections emerge through references to authors like Henry James with “Turn of the Screw” (62), demonstrating how cultural touchstones from various periods have been preserved in this gaming tradition. The tradition originated when these nicknames were developed in mid-20th century London, helping players better understand and remember their numbers during games.

Evolution of Bingo Number Names

The evolution of bingo number names reflects a complex interweaving of military terminology, regional customs, and entertainment influences throughout the mid-twentieth century. British military culture during World War II contributed significantly to the standardization of calls, with terms like “Doctor’s Orders” for number 9 and “Kelly’s Eye” for number 1 becoming firmly established in the gaming lexicon. The subsequent integration of civilian entertainment references and regional dialects transformed these military-based calls into the more widely recognized naming conventions that characterize modern British bingo terminology, while American versions developed distinct variations that reflected their own cultural context. Drawing from its origins in Lo Giuoco del Lotto, the game’s number-calling traditions have continuously evolved while maintaining their distinctive cultural character.

Regional Variations Through Time

Evolving from simple number-calling in 16th-century Italy to complex regional variations across continents, bingo number names reflect distinct cultural and linguistic patterns that emerged through centuries of play. Regional adaptations demonstrate significant cultural significance, from the UK’s development of rhyming nicknames to distinguish numbers in crowded halls to Germany’s educational implementations in themed variations.

Key regional variations include:

1. British halls utilizing alphabetical rhyming schemes (“legs eleven”)
2. American carnival traditions incorporating bean markers and distinctive shouting patterns
3. German educational institutions implementing themed number associations for children’s learning

The transatlantic evolution of calling methods showcases how different societies adapted the game’s verbal components, with the UK maintaining elaborate rhyming traditions while US venues developed more streamlined calling systems, particularly in the transition to 75-ball formats. The game’s earliest formalized rules in America were established when Hugh J. Ward created the first official rulebook, setting standards for number-calling that would influence regional variations for decades to come.

Military Origins and Influence

While bingo’s recreational origins trace back to 16th-century Italy, many of its most enduring number-calling traditions emerged from British military culture, particularly through a game called Housey Housey that gained popularity among troops in the early 1800s. The integration of military slang and regimental history into bingo calls reflects the game’s evolution through British armed forces, where numbers gained significance from division identifiers, transport routes, and military protocols. The game was initially introduced when the British Navy encountered it during their downtime in Malta in 1814.

Military Term	Origin	Number
Doctor’s Orders	WWII Laxative Pill	9
Highland Division	British Army Unit	51
Royal Salute	Naval Tradition	21

This military influence is evidenced in calls like “62 to Waterloo,” referencing the bus fare from Portsmouth to Waterloo station, and “28 Old Braggs,” honoring the 28th North Gloucestershire Regiment, demonstrating how service terminology became permanently embedded in civilian gameplay.

Entertainment’s Impact on Calls

Throughout the mid-20th century and beyond, entertainment media and popular culture have dramatically transformed traditional bingo calls, shifting them from military-influenced terminology toward references that reflect contemporary social experiences and shared cultural touchstones. These cultural shifts have generated region-specific variations, with streaming platforms, digital trends, and pop culture significantly impacting modern number nomenclature. Funny bingo calls continue to make the game more memorable and engaging for players of all ages.

Key entertainment influences include:

1. Integration of streaming services (“Netflix and chill” for number 6)
2. Adoption of social media references (“selfie queen” for 17)
3. Implementation of digital marketplace terminology (“Amazon Prime date” for 48)

The evolution continues as traditional rhyming calls give way to contemporary references, demonstrating how entertainment platforms and digital culture shape modern bingo terminology while maintaining the game’s social engagement through familiar, culturally relevant references.

Regional Variations in Call Names

North American bingo halls demonstrate distinct regional variations in their call names, incorporating cultural touchstones like “Route 66” and modern references such as “Netflix and Chill.” The United Kingdom and Australia share some common linguistic roots in their bingo calls, yet maintain unique identifiers, as evidenced by the British “Two Fat Ladies” for 88 and the Australian “Selfie Queen” for 17. Canadian bingo halls present a particularly complex environment, blending British traditions with bilingual influences, especially in Quebec where French number terminology coexists with English-language calls. Traditional bingo halls often use rhyming call names to help players distinguish between similar-sounding numbers during gameplay.

North American Call Differences

Regional distinctions in bingo call names across the United States and Canada reflect the cultural touchstones, historical events, and popular media unique to North American society. Bingo call variations demonstrate significant regional adaptations, with American players often substituting traditional British calls for references aligned with North American experiences and values.

Notable North American call adaptations include:

1. Historical events integration: “Apollo 11” for number 11, commemorating the moon landing, and “Route 66” replacing “Half a Dozen” for number 6
2. Entertainment references: “Hawaii Five-0” for 50, derived from the American television series, supplanting the British “Half a Century”
3. Contemporary culture: “Netflix and Chill” for 69, and “Avocado on a Plate” for 38, reflecting modern social trends

These regional call significances showcase North America’s distinct cultural identity while maintaining the game’s fundamental structure. The evolution from physical bingo balls to electronic number generators has further influenced how these calls are delivered in modern North American bingo halls.

UK-Australia Call Variations

British and Australian bingo calling traditions exhibit distinct cultural variations, shaped by each nation’s unique historical experiences, social customs, and entertainment influences. The cultural significance of these variations becomes apparent in distinctive regional references, with the UK emphasizing local geography and traditions, while Australian calls often reflect borrowed American influences. Traditional UK bingo halls make special use of Cockney rhyming slang to create memorable number calls.

Category	UK Example	Australian Example	Reference Type
Geography	Brighton Line (59)	N/A	Local Location
Pop Culture	Winnie the Pooh (42)	Tom Mix (6)	Entertainment
Food & Drink	Cup of Tea (3)	N/A	National Custom
Sports	Saving Grace (68)	Hockey Stick (7)	Athletic Terms

Humor variation between regions is evident in how the UK employs traditional rhyming slang and cultural references, while Australian calls demonstrate a blend of British heritage and American cultural influences, particularly in entertainment-derived nicknames.

Nursery Rhymes and Children’s References

Among the most endearing elements of traditional bingo calling are the numbers that draw inspiration from classic nursery rhymes and children’s references, creating a bridge between childhood memories and adult entertainment. These nursery rhyme adaptations incorporate familiar verses and children’s playfulness, establishing memorable connections for players across generations. Similar to the traditional B-I-N-G-O song, these calls promote active participation and memory retention through repetitive patterns.

Notable examples include:

1. Number 32’s direct reference to “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe”
2. Number 4’s association with “Knock at the Door” symbolism
3. Number 2’s representation as “One Little Duck” from traditional counting rhymes

The sequential nature of these calls often builds upon interconnected themes, as demonstrated by numbers 33 (“Dirty Knee”) and 34 (“Ask for More”), which create a natural progression in the calling sequence. This systematic approach helps players maintain engagement while reinforcing number recognition through familiar cultural references.

Notable Number Combinations and Their Stories

Building upon the legacy of nursery rhymes in bingo calling, the rich tapestry of number combinations and their associated stories represents a complex intersection of cultural history, wordplay, and visual symbolism within the game’s vernacular tradition.

Number symbolism appears prominently in combinations such as “88: Two fat ladies,” which derives from the visual resemblance of the digits, and “55: Snakes alive,” reflecting the serpentine appearance of the numeral five. The rhyming patterns enhance the memorability of each call for players during the game. The cultural significance of these combinations extends beyond mere visual interpretation, incorporating historical references like “80: Ghandi’s breakfast” and social commentary through calls like “38: Christmas cake.” Mathematical relationships likewise feature prominently, as demonstrated by “84: Seven dozen,” while entertainment references emerge in calls such as “76: Trombones” and “77: Sunset Strip,” reflecting the game’s integration of popular culture elements.