Bingo Calling Terms

A lot of credit for a buzzing and lively Bingo hall should go to the Bingo callers. Bingo, if not for the funny nicknames of the numbers and the imaginative calling, could become dull and boring. Let’s take a look at some of the nicknames.

• 1 – Kelly’s eye/ At the beginning/ Little Jimmy/ Nelson’s Column/ B1 baby of Bingo.
  Bingo was the only game allowed by the army and the soldiers nicknamed number 1, Kelly’s eye. No one knows who Kelly is or was!
• 7 – Lucky seven
• 9 – Doctor’s orders
  Army doctors, at one time, prescribed a pill called number 9 as a laxative.
• 10 – Tony’s Den
  This nickname keeps changing depending upon who the prime minister of the country is at the time. 10 Downing Street is the address of the British prime minister.
• 12 – One dozen/ One and two
• 13 – Unlucky for some, Devil’s number, Bakers dozen
  Christ was crucified on Friday the 13th after he had dinner with 13 people. Since then, the number 13 is considered unlucky.
• 14 – Valentine’s Day
• 15 – Rugby team/ Young and keen
  A rugby team has a union of 15 players.
• 16 – Sweet sixteen / she’s lovely / never been kissed
  Sweet Sixteen is referred to a girl who has attained the age of 16 and is well on her way to becoming a woman.
  The sweet sixteen is considered an epitome of youthful beauty and chastity.
• 17 – Often been kissed / The age to catch ‘em / Dancing Queen
  In the Victorian age, 17 was seen as the right age to allow suitors to court the girl. In pop group ABBA’s song – The Dancing Queen, the girl referred to is seventeen years of age.
• 18 – Coming of age/ Now you can vote
  18 is the age when a minor attains adulthood and also the legal age to Play Bingo!
• 19 – Goodbye teens

Know More About Bingo Shapes, Nicknames and Terms:

• Shape of Bingo Numbers
• Bingo Rhyming Nicknames