What do the bingo calls mean?

Have you played bingo and noticed the caller saying not only the number but an amusing rhyming call also?  During bingo games in the UK special bingo calls are used when announcing the number.  Fabulously each rhyming call has its own special history and story and is one of bingo's fun traditions.  When starting out at bingo this might seem a little bizarre, but you quickly get to understand what a big deal these special calls are and how much more enjoyable the game is.

Each rhyming call meaning is based on a number of things, such as a simple rhyme with the number, e.g. number four, knock at the door.  Some number meanings have historical or even popular references.  

Then often it's a case of the appearance of the number and what it looks like, e.g. the number 11 looks like a pair of legs, and number eighty eight looks like two plump ladies.

Here is a list of the most popular special calls you could come across when you play bingo:

1. Kelly's Eye
2. Buckle My Shoe
3. Cup of tea
4. Knock at the Door
5. Man Alive
6. Chopsticks
7. Lucky Seven
8. One Fat Lady
9. Doctor's Orders
10. Uncle Ben
11. Legs Eleven
12. One Dozen
13. Baker’s Dozen
14. Valentines Day
15. Young and keen
16. Sweet Sixteen
17. Dancing Queen
18. Coming of Age
19. Goodbye Teens
20. One Score
21. Key of the Door
22. Two Little Ducks
23. Thee and Me
24. Two Dozen
25. Duck and Dive
26. Pick and Mix   
27. Gateway to Heaven
28. In a State
29. Rise and Shine
30. Dirty Gertie
31. Get up and Run
32. Buckle my Shoe
33. All the Threes
34. Ask for More
35. Jump and Jive
36. Three Dozen
37. A Flea in Heaven
38. Christmas Cake
39. Those Famous Steps
40. Naughty Forty
41. Time for Fun
42. Winnie the Pooh
43. Down on Your Knees
44. Droopy Drawers
45. Halfway There
46. Up to Tricks
47. Four and Seven
48. Four Dozen
49. Copper
50. Half a Century
51. Tweak of the Thumb
52. Pack of Cards
53. Stuck in the Tree
54. Clean the Floor
55. Snakes Alive
56. Was she worth it?
57. Heinz Varieties
58. Make them Wait
59. Brighton Line
60. Five Dozen
61. Bakers Bun
62. Turn on the Screw
63. Tickle Me
64. Red Raw
65. Old Age Pension
66. Clickety Click
67. Made in Heaven
68. Saving Grace
69. Either Way Up
70. Three Score and Ten
71. J-Lo's Bum
72. Six Dozen
73. Queen B
74. Candy Store
75. Strive and Strive
76. Trombones
77. Two Little Crutches
78. Heavens Gate
79. One More Time
80. Eight and Blank
81. Stop and Run
82. Straight on Through
83. Time for Tea
84. Seven Dozen
85. Staying Alive
86. Between the Sticks
87. Torquay in Devon
88. Two fat ladies
89. Nearly There
90. Top of the Shop

Now you know and understand the special calls - next time you play bingo it will definitely be a much more satisfying experience for you.

Good luck!

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