Bingo Calls: The Complete Guide to Bingo Nicknames and Their Origins
If you’ve ever sat down in a lively bingo hall or joined a game online, you may have found yourself puzzled by the colorful and curious nicknames shouted by the bingo caller. You weren’t imagining things if you heard phrases like “Two Little Ducks” or “Winnie the Pooh” echoing through the room. Welcome to the unique and often hilarious world of bingo lingo—a tradition rooted in history, rhyme, and British humor.
In this article, we’ll explore how bingo is played today and dive into the full list of traditional 90-ball bingo calls, uncovering the rhymes and stories behind each number.
Modern bingo, whether played in person or online, involves matching numbers on a ticket with those randomly drawn and called out. When you mark off all the required numbers (e.g., a line, two lines, or a full house), you win.
There are different formats—90-ball, 75-ball, and even 30-ball games—but in the UK, 90-ball bingo is the traditional favorite. In this version, each ticket contains 15 numbers, and players aim to complete one line, two lines, or all three to call “House!” and win.
Today, most bingo numbers are generated electronically, but the tradition of calling out nicknames for each number remains a cherished part of the game’s culture.
Bingo lingo refers to the rhyming nicknames and quirky phrases used by bingo callers to announce numbers in a fun and distinctive way. For example, instead of calling “22,” a caller might say, “Two Little Ducks.”
These bingo calls originated in Britain, particularly in London during the mid-20th century, and were partly inspired by Cockney rhyming slang and military communication techniques. The purpose? To add flavor to the game—and to clearly distinguish similar-sounding numbers (like 15 and 50) in noisy halls.
Over time, the phrases have evolved, with some regional and modern additions entering the mix.
Learn Them All
Bingo Calls – Full List of 1 to 90
| Number | Call Name | Meaning / Origin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelly’s Eye | Slang or reference to Ned Kelly |
| 2 | One Little Duck | Number 2 resembles a duck |
| 3 | Cup of Tea | Classic British rhyme |
| 4 | Knock at the Door | Rhymes with four |
| 5 | Man Alive | Exclamatory rhyme |
| 6 | Tom Mix / Half a Dozen | Western star or math reference |
| 7 | Lucky Seven | Widely considered a lucky number |
| 8 | Garden Gate | Rhymes with eight |
| 9 | Doctor’s Orders | WWII laxative pill “No. 9” |
| 10 | [PM’s Name]’s Den | Refers to 10 Downing Street |
| 11 | Legs Eleven | Visual: two straight 1s |
| 12 | One Dozen | 12 = a dozen |
| 13 | Unlucky for Some | Superstitious number |
| 14 | Valentine’s Day | February 14th |
| 15 | Young and Keen | Rhyming call |
| 16 | Sweet 16 | Coming-of-age celebration |
| 17 | Dancing Queen | ABBA lyric reference |
| 18 | Coming of Age | Adult legal status |
| 19 | Goodbye Teens | Last teen year |
| 20 | One Score | Score = 20 |
| 21 | Key of the Door | Age of adulthood |
| 22 | Two Little Ducks | Visual representation |
| 23 | Thee and Me | Rhymes with 23 |
| 24 | Two Dozen | 24 = 2 x 12 |
| 25 | Duck and Dive | Cockney slang |
| 26 | Half a Crown | Old British currency |
| 27 | Gateway to Heaven | Spiritual or optimistic |
| 28 | In a State | Slang for disarray |
| 29 | Rise and Shine | Common saying |
| 30 | Dirty Gertie | WWII song & statue |
| 31 | Get Up and Run | Rhyming phrase |
| 32 | Buckle My Shoe | Nursery rhyme |
| 33 | All the Threes | Visual: 3 and 3 |
| 34 | Ask for More | Rhyming call |
| 35 | Jump and Jive | Dance reference |
| 36 | Three Dozen | 3 x 12 = 36 |
| 37 | More than Eleven | Simple rhyme |
| 38 | Christmas Cake | Rhyming slang |
| 39 | 39 Steps | Film reference |
| 40 | Life Begins | “Life begins at 40” |
| 41 | Time for Fun | Rhymes with 41 |
| 42 | Winnie the Pooh | Reference to the famous bear |
| 43 | Down on Your Knees | Military slang or prayer reference |
| 44 | Droopy Drawers | Visual: saggy trousers |
| 45 | Halfway There | Half of 90 |
| 46 | Up to Tricks | Rhymes with 46 |
| 47 | Four and Seven | Literal reading of the digits |
| 48 | Four Dozen | 4 x 12 = 48 |
| 49 | PC | Reference to TV’s PC 49 |
| 50 | Half a Century | 50 years |
| 51 | Tweak of the Thumb | Cheeky rhyme |
| 52 | Danny La Rue | Famous entertainer |
| 53 | Here Comes Herbie | Herbie the VW Beetle |
| 54 | Clean the Floor | Rhyming phrase |
| 55 | Snakes Alive | Visual: 5s look like snakes |
| 56 | Shotts Bus | Bus route or marriage license cost |
| 57 | Heinz Varieties | “57 varieties” slogan |
| 58 | Make Them Wait | Rhymes with 58 |
| 59 | Brighton Line | Possible train or phone code |
| 60 | Five Dozen | 5 x 12 = 60 |
| 61 | Baker’s Bun | Rhymes with 61 |
| 62 | Turn the Screw | Or “Tickety-boo” – cheerful rhyme |
| 63 | Tickle Me | Light-hearted rhyme |
| 64 | Red Raw | Rhyming slang |
| 65 | Old Age Pension | Retirement age for men |
| 66 | Clickety Click | Sound of a train |
| 67 | Stairway to Heaven | Rhyming reference |
| 68 | Pick a Mate | Playful rhyme |
| 69 | Any Way Up | Looks the same upside down |
| 70 | Three Score and Ten | Score = 20, so 3 x 20 + 10 = 70 |
| 71 | Bang on the Drum | Or "J.Lo’s bum" (modern twist) |
| 72 | Six Dozen | 6 x 12 = 72 |
| 73 | Queen Bee | Rhyming call |
| 74 | Hit the Floor | Rhymes with 74 |
| 75 | Strive and Strive | Motivational phrase |
| 76 | Trombones | From "76 Trombones" musical |
| 77 | Sunset Strip | TV show: 77 Sunset Strip |
| 78 | 39 More Steps | 39 + 39 = 78 |
| 79 | One More Time | Simple rhyme |
| 80 | Gandhi’s Breakfast | “Ate nothing” – pun on 8-0 |
| 81 | Stop and Run | Rhymes with 81 |
| 82 | Straight on Through | Common rhyme |
| 83 | Time for Tea | British classic! |
| 84 | Seven Dozen | 7 x 12 = 84 |
| 85 | Staying Alive | Bee Gees reference (or not) |
| 86 | Between the Sticks | Football: goalkeeper’s zone |
| 87 | Torquay in Devon | Geographic rhyme |
| 88 | Two Fat Ladies | Visual: 8 and 8 |
| 89 | Nearly There | Just before 90 |
| 90 | Top of the Shop | Highest number in the game |
Summary of the Bingo Calls Guide
Bingo has long been cherished as a fun, social game steeped in tradition, and one of the most iconic aspects of it is the use of rhyming slang or phrases to call out each number. Known as “bingo lingo,” these colourful nicknames transform a simple number game into a lively and entertaining experience, adding both character and clarity to the gameplay. From “Two Little Ducks” (22) to “Top of the Shop” (90), each call has a story, a rhyme, or a reference that makes it memorable.
The use of these phrases originated in the mid-20th century in British bingo halls, partly to avoid confusion—especially in loud venues—and partly for entertainment. Many of the calls rhyme, some are visual, and others draw from pop culture, history, or even old British sayings. For instance, “Doctor’s Orders” (9) comes from a military medicine reference, while “Legs Eleven” (11) is a cheeky nod to the number’s shape.
As bingo has evolved into the digital age, these traditional calls still hold strong, especially in online bingo games aiming to preserve that classic bingo hall atmosphere. Whether you’re a new player just learning the lingo or a seasoned fan wanting to brush up on your knowledge, understanding these calls adds a layer of charm and fun to the game. Bingo is more than numbers—it’s a celebration of community, humor, and heritage.
Where to Next:
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FAQ: Bingo Calls
1. What are bingo calls?
Bingo calls are fun nicknames or phrases used to announce each number in traditional 90-ball bingo. They often rhyme with the number or reference British culture, history, or popular sayings.
2. Why do bingo callers use nicknames instead of just numbers?
Nicknames help avoid confusion in noisy halls and add entertainment value. For example, “Five and Nine, The Brighton Line” is more distinctive than just saying “59.”
3. Where did bingo calls originate?
Most of the traditional calls began in mid-20th century Britain, especially in London, where rhyming slang and wordplay were common. Bingo halls adopted these to make games more fun and engaging.
4. What’s the meaning behind “Two Fat Ladies” for 88?
It’s a visual reference. The number 88 resembles the outline of two seated women—hence, “Two Fat Ladies.”
5. Is the list of bingo calls the same everywhere?
Not always. Some regional variations and modern additions exist, especially with newer bingo games or online versions. However, the classic 90-ball list remains widely recognised.
6. What’s the difference between 75-ball and 90-ball bingo?
75-ball bingo is popular in the US and uses a 5×5 grid. 90-ball bingo, commonly played in the UK, uses a 9×3 ticket and is the format where these iconic calls are used.
7. Are bingo calls used in online bingo games too?
Yes, especially on themed or classic-style bingo sites. While not always announced by live callers, many online platforms display or animate the call nicknames for added flair.
8. Can I create my own bingo calls?
Of course! While the classic calls are iconic, many players or bingo hosts invent modern or personalised versions—perfect for private games, parties, or themed events.
9. Why does number 10 sometimes change in the call?
Number 10 is often called as “[Prime Minister’s name]’s Den” and is updated to reflect the current UK Prime Minister—e.g., “Sunak’s Den.”
10. What’s the funniest or most unusual bingo call?
Many consider “Gandhi’s Breakfast” for number 80 (meaning “ate nothing”) to be one of the cheekiest and most unusual.
11. What if I don’t understand a bingo call during a game?
Don’t worry! Most games also display the actual number, and you’ll quickly pick up the slang the more you play. It’s part of the fun learning curve.
