Bingo Lingo: Master All 90 Slang Terms and Their Origins

Bingo, a game enjoyed by many across Canada, is more than just numbers; it's a vibrant community with its own lingo. This post dives into the fascinating world of Bingo slangs, exploring common terms and what they represent, adding an extra layer of fun to your next Bingo game!

1-10: The Starting Line-Up

1. Kelly's Eye: A nod to the famous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly.
2. One Little Duck: Resembles the number 2 – simple as a baby duck!
3. Cup of Tea: A classic for number 3, evoking a warm brew.
4. Knock at the Door: Rhymes with four, like someone's at the door.
5. Man Alive: Rhymes with five, a shout of surprise!
6. Tom Mix: A rhyme for six, named after a classic cowboy.
7. Lucky Seven: Seven, a number often considered lucky.
8. Garden Gate: Rhymes with eight; don't be late for this one!
9. Doctor's Orders: A historical reference to number 9 pills. Historically significant.
10. Boris's Den: Ten, referring to 10 Downing Street, a common call-out.

11-20: Hitting Your Stride

1. Legs Eleven: Resembling a pair of legs, often called out with flair.
2. One Dozen: A common phrase for twelve.
3. Unlucky for Some: Thirteen's reputation as an unlucky number.
4. Valentine's Day: Celebrated on February 14th.
5. Young and Keen: Fifteen rhymes with keen, full of excitement.
6. Sweet Sixteen: A notable birthday, the start of something new.
7. Dancing Queen: A popular tune for number 17.
8. Coming of Age: Eighteen, often the age of legal adulthood.
9. Goodbye Teens: Nineteen, marking the end of the teenage years.
10. One Score: A 'score' is an older term for twenty.

21-30: Getting into the Swing of Things

1. Key of the Door: Signifies turning 21, traditionally an age of independence.
2. Two Little Ducks: Looks like a pair of ducks, hence "quack quack."
3. Thee and Me: A rhyme for twenty-three.
4. Two Dozen: Simply means twice twelve.
5. Duck and Dive: Rhymes with twenty-five.
6. Pick and Mix: A catchy rhyme for twenty-six.
7. Gateway to Heaven: Rhymes with twenty-seven.
8. In a State: Rhymes with twenty-eight, perhaps a bit flustered!
9. Rise and Shine: Rhymes with twenty-nine, a cheerful start.
10. Dirty Gertie: A playful term for thirty, with a hint of mischief.

31-40: Life's Milestones

1. Get Up and Run: A rhyme with thirty-one.
2. Buckle My Shoe: From the nursery rhyme (32).
3. All the Threes: Visually, three threes.
4. Ask for More: Rhymes with thirty-four.
5. Jump and Jive: A dance move, rhyming with thirty-five.
6. Three Dozen: A simple count.
7. More Than Eleven: Rhymes with thirty-seven.
8. Christmas Cake: Rhyming slang for thirty-eight.
9. Steps: Referring to the 1935 Hitchcock film, 'The 39 Steps.'
10. Naughty Forty: A playful term for turning forty.

41-50: The Midlife

1. Time for Fun: Rhyming with forty-one.
2. Winnie the Pooh: The famous bear, rhyming with forty-two.
3. Down on Your Knees: Rhymes with forty-three.
4. Droopy Drawers: Resembling the shape of the numbers.
5. Halfway There: Half of ninety, the highest bingo number.
6. Up to Tricks: Rhymes with forty-six.
7. Four and Seven: A straightforward call.
8. Four Dozen: Again, a simple count.
9. PC: Referring to the British police constable, '49' being their code.
10. Half a Century: Fifty years, a significant milestone.

51-60: The Road to Retirement

1. Tweak of the Thumb: Rhymes with fifty-one.
2. Danny La Rue: A famous drag artist, rhyming with fifty-two.
3. Stuck in the Tree: Rhymes with fifty-three.
4. Clean the Floor: Rhyming with fifty-four.
5. Snakes Alive: Resembling snakes, rhymes with fifty-five.
6. Was She Worth It?: Refers to the 5 shillings and 6 pence marriage license cost.
7. Heinz Varieties: Refers to the '57 varieties' in Heinz's advertising.
8. Make Them Wait: Rhymes with fifty-eight.
9. Brighton Line: Referring to the London to Brighton train.
10. Five Dozen: A straightforward count.

61-70: The Golden Years

1. Baker's Bun: Rhymes with sixty-one.
2. Turn the Screw: Rhyming with sixty-two.
3. Tickle Me: Rhymes with sixty-three.
4. Red Raw: Rhyming with sixty-four.
5. Old Age Pension: The traditional age for retirement.
6. Clickety Click: Resembling the click of knitting needles.
7. Stairway to Heaven: Rhymes with sixty-seven.
8. Saving Grace: Rhyming with sixty-eight.
9. Either Way Up: The number looks the same upside down.
10. Three Score and Ten: Biblically, the lifespan of a human (70 years).

71-80: The Sunset Strip

1. Bang on the Drum: Rhymes with seventy-one.
2. Six Dozen: A straightforward count.
3. Queen Bee: Rhyming with seventy-three.
4. Candy Store: Rhymes with seventy-four.
5. Strive and Strive: Rhyming with seventy-five.
6. Trombones: From the song '76 Trombones' in the musical 'The Music Man.'
7. Sunset Strip: A famous area in Los Angeles, and also resembles two sevens.
8. Heaven’s Gate: Rhyming with seventy-eight.
9. One More Time: Rhymes with seventy-nine.
10. Eight and Blank: Rhyming with eighty.

81-90: The Final Countdown

1. Stop and Run: Rhymes with eighty-one.
2. Straight On Through: Rhyming with eighty-two.
3. Time for Tea: Rhyming with eighty-three.
4. Seven Dozen: A simple count.
5. Staying Alive: From the Bee Gees song, rhyming with eighty-five.
6. Between the Sticks: Rhymes with eighty-six, goalie reference.
7. Torquay in Devon: Rhyming with eighty-seven, a place in the UK.
8. Two Fat Ladies: Resembling the shape of the numbers.
9. Nearly There: Just one short of the top number.
10. Top of the Shop: The highest number in bingo, signaling the end.

There you have it, all 90 Bingo slangs! Each one is a little slice of history, culture, or just plain fun. Next time you're dabbing your way through a Bingo game, remember these slangs and add a bit of extra zest to your play!