Funny & Rude Bingo Calls: Their Origins and Influence on Bingo Culture
Summary:
Bingo calls, originating from the 16th century in Italy, evolved into a mix of slang and humor in the UK. Calls like "Legs Eleven" and "Sexy Kate" add fun to the game. They reflect historical events, pop culture, and rhymes, shaping bingo's cultural dynamics. While these calls entertain players, some may find them confusing or offensive, affecting players' perceptions and potentially alienating older participants. However, they inject humor into the game, making it more engaging for a younger demographic.
The Origins of Funny and Rude Bingo Calls: How They Came About
Dating back to 16th-century Italy, the predecessor to bingo, known as “Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia,” was a lottery-style game. As bingo made its way through Europe, it adapted and changed, reaching the UK by the 18th century. Bingo found a new home in working-class communities in the UK, particularly after the 1920s. Among these communities, the term 'half a crown,' referring to a coin worth two shillings and sixpence in the old British money system before decimalization, became emblematic of the era's economic and social conditions. This term also found its way into bingo calls, serving as a nostalgic reminder of the times when 'half a crown' could buy you more than just a spot on the bingo card, highlighting the game's deep roots in British culture and history.
The unique and often humorous bingo calls we hear today have mysterious origins that gained widespread popularity in the 1950s. Some speculate that these calls may have emerged during games of “Housey Housey” (now known as bingo) enjoyed by British soldiers in the 1930s. The military influence is evident in many bingo calls, with nicknames derived from military slang and shared experiences during wartime. For example, the call “62 - Waterloo” paid homage to the bus fare for Navy trips from Portsmouth to Waterloo station.
Pop culture also played a significant role in shaping unconventional bingo calls. As the game expanded beyond military circles, references to well-known figures and entertainment became a staple. For example, “52 - Danny La Rue’ is a nod to the popular drag entertainer.
Rude Bingo Calls That Are Guaranteed to Raise Eyebrows: Our Top 10 Picks
Traditionally known for its light-hearted and social nature, bingo sometimes takes a cheeky turn with rude bingo calls. Before we dive into our top 10 picks, it's worth noting that 'rude calls' are a category of bingo calls that add a spicy twist to the game, often making adults chuckle or blush. While these calls are not universal and may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they add a spicy twist to the game for those who appreciate a touch of humour in their bingo experience. The bingo community has crafted a collection of amusing and, at times, risqué calls, showcasing the playful side of this beloved pastime. Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best rude bingo calls, ranging from the hilariously entertaining to those with a more daring edge.
Bingo Call
Number 8 - “Sexy Kate”
This playful call draws inspiration from the rhyming of “8” with the name Kate, explicitly referencing the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.
Number 19 - “Keep ’em keen”
This call is a witty play on the rhyme with 19, suggesting light-heartedly to keep things interesting and enthusiastic, reflecting the playful nature of bingo lingo.
Number 30 - “Dirty Gertie”
This bingo call draws inspiration from the song “Dirty Gertie from Bizerte,” a tune that was sung by Allied troops during World War II. Alternatively, some callers may use “Burlington Bertie” as a playful reference.
Number 20 - “Getting Plenty”
This cheeky bingo call adds a playful twist to the number 20 as the phrase rhymes with its numerical counterpart. The clever wordplay suggests abundance and injects a light-hearted and mischievous vibe into the traditional bingo experience.
Number 44 - “Droopy Drawers”
This is a classic bingo call that playfully references sagging trousers/underwear. It is considered relatively innocent by today’s standards and reflects the simplicity of traditional bingo lingo.
Number 69 - “Your Place or Mine”
Originally, “Either way up” and “Any way up” innocently referred to the reversible nature of the numbers six and nine. However, this call evolved over time into “Your Place or Mine.”
Number 60 - “Grandma’s Getting Frisky”
The term “frisky” perfectly rhymes with 60, and the reference to Grandma humorously alludes to the state pension age for women, which was once associated with this number.
Number 43 - “Down on Your Knees”
Originating from the World War II era and popularised by British soldiers, this seemingly cheeky bingo call takes on a different twist due to the pluralization of the word “knee.”
Number 11 - “Legs Eleven”
This bingo call is as straightforward as it gets; it refers to the visual resemblance of the number 11 to a pair of legs.
Number 62 - “Turn the screw”
Originated from the tradition of using rhymes or phrases to announce the called numbers.
Top 10 Side-Splitting Bingo Calls
Bingo nicknames serve as lighthearted codenames for the numbers drawn, adding a layer of fun and excitement to the game with their humorous calls. If you’re a bingo player waiting for a number to be called, you may be seriously surprised by the humour in those bingo calls. They can leave the players shaking with laughter and increase the game’s entertainment value. For example, why call “65” when you can call “Old age pension” and “32” when you can say “Buckle my shoe”?
We want to ensure you aren’t unaware of these hilarious bingo calls, so we have created a list of the top 10 funny bingo calls.
Bingo Call
Number 65 - “Old Age Pension”
65 is the age when pensioners’ benefits start in most countries, including the UK.
Number 13 - “Unlucky For Some”
Many superstitions are based on the number 13, which is considered unlucky among many communities. The superstition dates back centuries, with many buildings worldwide skipping the 13th floor and going straight to 14.
Number 44 - “Droopy Drawers”
Rhymes with the number 44 and is based on a humorous visual rhyme. Looking at the legs of number 44, you would see nothing but drooping drawers.
Number 80 - “Gandhi’s Breakfast”
The great historical figure in Indian history, Mahatma Gandhi, used to keep a lot of fasts as a non-violent form of protest. The eight and zero imply how he eight (ate) nothing.
Number 66- “Clickety Click”
Nothing complex here; the phrase just rhymes with the number 66
Number 14 - “Valentine’s Day”
The 14th of February is Valentine’s Day, so this bingo call originated from the International Day of Love.
Number 32- “Buckle My Shoe”
“1, 2 Buckle my Shoe” is a famous line from nursery rhymes. The phrase rhymes with the number 32, so it is used as a bingo call.
Number 35- “Jump and Jive”
“Jump and Jive” is a classic dance step and is used as a call because it rhymes with the number 35. You would do this dance if you called House on 35.
Number 42 - “Winnie the Pooh”
This is based on the famous Walt Disney cartoon character “Winnie The Pooh” as it rhymes with the number 42.
Number 63 - “Tickle Me”
This is just another cheery phrase that rhymes with the number it is used for.
The Role of Bingo Calls In Shaping Bingo Culture
Just as slang is now integral to our daily conversations, these bingo calls have also changed bingo’s cultural dynamics, especially when playing bingo. The experience of playing bingo, whether in traditional halls or online, is significantly shaped by the entertaining and witty bingo calls. Hearing your numbers when they are called via these entertaining bingo calls makes the experience of playing bingo less monotonous and more engaging. We have discussed below how these may affect the culture of the bingo industry negatively and positively.
Moreover, the rise of online bingo sites has played a crucial role in attracting a new wave of players, including younger demographics, by incorporating modern bingo calls and the vibrant culture of playing bingo online. This evolution shows how traditional games can adapt to the digital age, making them accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
More Likely To Attract A Younger Demographic
The injection of humour might make the game more engaging and attractive for players from Generation Z and Millennials. A director of a UK-based online bingo site recently stated: “We are seeing a new wave of younger players visiting the website to play bingo. The new wave of bingo calls is what is switching things.”
Promote a Sense of Community Building via Entertainment
Similarly, funny bingo calls promote a sense of community building as players laugh and spend quality time together in a casino setting. Traditional bingo calls make the game much more formal, which is different from the player's mood when playing in a casino.
These playful bingo calls create a lively and entertaining atmosphere and portray bingo as a vibrant part of the casino experience. Here's what a player has to say about the modern-day bingo experience: “Bingo has become the game of today and is packed with entertainment with these modern cheery bingo calls that accompany the adrenaline rush.”
May Affect the Player's Perception Of the Game
Although traditional bingo calls have a nostalgic appeal, some rude bingo calls may foster a negative perception of the game among newer players. Some bingo calls may even be offensive and are against community guidelines in certain public events, such as charity bingo.
Some Might Be Confused About What Number is Being Called
Although these catchy bingo calls sound amusing, they may confuse players who are new to the game. For example, it may not instantly come to a player's mind how the number 44 represents “droopy drawers”. Beginners may be intimidated by the apparent complexity of these terms.
Alienating Older Bingo Players
Older players who enjoy traditional bingo may not even understand and appreciate the humour in these games. According to Blake Robson, 12-time winner of the Bingo Caller of the Year, these new bingo calls can mislead older punters.
He said: “It would be a shame to see traditional bingo calls disappear. Rather than new calls, we should teach the younger generation about the old calls.”
Casinos need to be mindful of their audience and balance humour with the sensitivity of the crowd. This can prevent alienating old and new players from this classic casino game and attract larger crowds.
Bingo calls make the game more lively
Overall, these funny and rude bingo calls inject humour and wit into the classic bingo game. Whether it's the classic 32 - Buckle My Shoe or the more daring 8 - Sexy Kate, they cheer up the players, creating a lively environment. The fondness for humour in these bingo calls is subject to each player's preferences.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding bingo calls:
What does each bingo number mean?
Each bingo number has its own unique significance, often tied to cultural references, historical events, or visual similarities. For example, in British Bingo, the number 88 is often called "Two Fat Ladies," resembling the shape of the number 8. In American Bingo, numbers might reference pop culture or common phrases. Understanding these bingo numbers and their meanings adds an extra layer of enjoyment and tradition to the game.
Where can I find a printable version of funny bingo calls?
You can find our printable funny bingo calls HERE
What is the luckiest number in bingo?
There is no true lucky number in bingo as the calls are entirely random. Some bingo experts, however, do believe that the numbers 6 and 4 are the most frequently called. Many also say this about the numbers 62, 42, 72 and 47. However, there is no such thing as lucky and unlucky numbers in bingo.
Is bingo purely based on luck?
Yes, bingo is a game of luck. You have no control over what numbers are called next. It is essential to practice good bankroll management to extend your playing time, but other than that, there are no effective strategies you can use to change the outcome.
What are the sayings for the bingo numbers?
Bingo numbers are called using alternative phrases known as bingo calls. These cheeky phrases are often based on references from history and popular television characters.
For example, 'knock at the door' is a playful call for the number 4, drawing on its rhyming scheme to create a memorable association. Similarly, the term 'fat lady' is used for the number 8, an outdated visual representation of an obese woman that adds a touch of humor to the game. 'Tweak of the thumb' is another quirky call, this time for the number 51, showcasing the rich variety of sayings that make bingo calls so unique. Lastly, 'three score and ten' refers to the number 70, breaking down mathematically as 3 multiplied by 20 plus 10, demonstrating the creative ways numbers are represented in bingo lingo.