Bingo Lingo – Britain’s Second Language

Mention the phrase bingo lingo and what comes to mind? Two little ducks? (Quack Quack!). Legs eleven? (Whit woo!). Bingo calling names have been around as long as the game itself. The common belief is that back in the days of slow and noisy bingo machines, bingo callers would use names to help players identify what number had been drawn. With the dawn of computer generated numbers in the 70’s, the need for these calls didn’t exist, but their popularity and use continued, and has done to this day. It’s easy to see why, given the fun factor that they can bring to the game. I think back to my youth and remember the personality and fun that was injected into bingo games by the caller. From memories of playing at the seaside, to joining my nan at her local game, bingo calls are an education that most of us have received growing up.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the classic bingo calls which are still used and find out a bit more about how they came to be- after all, we all love a bit of trivia! We’ll also look at the way bingo language and terminology has changed since its origins, and how the rising popularity of online bingo has brought with it a whole new vocabulary and meaning to bingo lingo.

Traditional Bingo Calls – Use Your Imagination

When it comes to traditional bingo calls, there’s generally 2 categories that they will fall into, those that rhyme with the number, and those which have a particular link with the number. We must have big imaginations us Brits, as we’ve linked a lot of common bingo calls with how a number looks. With your 2’s as ducks, 7’s as crutches, 3’s as ears and flees, and let’s not forget the 8’s as fat ladies. This has also led to some amusing combinations, like a crutch and a flea- 73 and little duck with a crutch- 27. Now 2’s as ducks, I can see, same with the fat ladies, but crutches, fleas and ears? It’s a bit of a push if you ask me! The meanings behind some calls are obvious, and need no explanation, the likes of 21- key of the door, and 17- dancing queen. There are a few obscure calls though, did you ever wonder how the following numbers got their names?

Updating Old Favourites

Ruth Connor Sales and Marketing Director for Butlins With the current bingo craze, we felt there was an opportunity to do something a bit different to celebrate.

As time passes by, some calls become irrelevant or unpopular and are left by the wayside. New expressions are thrown in by bingo callers wanting to bring their own twist and personality to the game. For instance, did you know that before acting, Russell Crowe used to be a bingo caller? However, his bingo calls were considered too rude and got him the sack! There’s regional variations of bingo nicknames as well as the popular classic calls. Have a look on the net for a list of bingo calls, and you’ll find there’s multiple offerings for names which accompany each ball. As well as these ad-hoc additions, there’s also been conscience efforts to update our traditional bingo calls for a modern audience.

Some 10 years ago, to go with the launch of a new bingo game at their sites, Butlins enlisted Charlie Blake, a popular culture professor, to update the classic bingo calls and make them more relevant for modern day players. His task was to look at various elements of the society and culture of 2003, from technology and food, to celebs and TV, to create a list of alternative bingo calls which would be relevant to the players of the current time. Some of the phrases that were coined did exactly that, they reflected the culture of the day. However, it would appear that a lot of these phrases would not stand the test of time like some of the traditional bingo calls. Maybe he had high hopes for Hollywood’s golden couple of the day, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, giving the call “Brad and Jen” to number 10. Little did he know that just a couple of years later this would be become irrelevant thanks to the new found union of Brangelina. You also have to question the logic of naming number 8 Gareth Gates. He may have been big news in 2003, but how long can you really expect a Pop Idol runner up’s popularity and relevance to last? One change which hit the headlines at the time was the introduction of J’Lo’s ample derrière into the equation. 71, J-Lo’s bum is one which is still used these days. I hate to be picky, but this doesn’t even rhyme where I come from! Check out some of the updated calls and decide for yourself if you think these are better alternatives to the originals.

• OutIn
• 30 Dirty GertieAli G
• 32 Buckle my shoeJimmy Choo
• 52 Danny LaRueChicken Vindaloo

• OutIn
• 72 Six dozenSo Solid Crew
• 73 Queen BChamomile Tea
• 80 Ghandi’s BreakfastThe Real Slim Shady

Online Bingo – the Revolution of the Abbreviation

We’ve seen how the popularisation of bingo since the 1950’s brought with it a wave of expressions and terms. It’s therefore no surprise that as online bingo has expanded and become increasingly popular that this has also given rise to a new type of language. One of the key features of online bingo is the social element, mainly the chat rooms. Unlike traditional bingo halls, where talking during games is very much avoided and frowned upon, chatting and interacting is actively encouraged in the web based version of the game. Online bingo is a great place to meet new friends and have fun. For me, the social interaction involved with online bingo is one of the most enjoyable parts of the game.

There’s oodles of abbreviations that are used in chat rooms, from bingo specifics to general chit chat. There’s some phrases which are instantly recognisable as we use them in SMS and IM to save our fingers a bit of work. The likes of LOL and BTW are examples, but there’s a whole host of bingo related abbreviations which have been developed to help you say what you want to say more quickly. Here’s one for you, BLNT- any ideas what this is? Perhaps a Mexican take on the classic Bacon Lettuce and Tomato with Nachos thrown in? Well if that was your guess then, Better Luck Next Time! Most bingo sites have their own specific phrases and abbreviations, but the majority are used across all bingo chat rooms. Once you pick up the hang of it, you can chat away with your fellow roomies at lightening speed. If you ever think “OMG, WTH (what the heck?) did that person just say?” then never be afraid to ask the CH who will enlighten you. Check out the most common bingo related abbreviations below.

What does the future hold?

Whether you play in a bingo hall or online, bingo is all about fun, and the language that has developed over time reflects that. We’ll always have the nostalgia linked with our traditional calls, and I can’t see these disappearing from our vocabulary anytime soon. I know for my part, my mission is to learn more chat room lingo, so I can chat away to my bingo buddies like a pro. BTW, if you have the same plan, then I wish you GL and will say TTFN for now!