Slingo's List of Funny Bingo Calls

List of Funny Bingo Calls

Bingo calls are the phrases or rhymes that bingo callers use in traditional games. Each phrase is associated with a number, and the idea is that using different bingo calls helps players to distinguish between similar-sounding numbers (for example, 17 and 70).

Some of the most well-known bingo calls include ‘legs eleven’ (11) and ‘two fat ladies’ (88), but there are many more to get familiar with.

Although it’s not necessary to learn bingo calls to play online bingo, many players and chat room hosts use them as a bit of fun and a way to add some humour to the game.

In this blog, we’ve written a list of some of the funniest bingo calls we’ve come across. Read on and see if you recognise any of them!

1. YOLO — A modern bingo call based on the abbreviation of ‘You Only Live Once.’
2. One Little Duck — If you use your imagination, the shape of the number two looks a bit like a duck!
3. Cup of Tea — This rhyming phrase uses the nation’s favourite drink to signify number three.
4. Knock at the Door — A simple rhyme for number four - will fortune knock at your door?!
5. Man Alive — It was said that this expression of disbelief was originally used by sailors when they spotted someone alive in a shipwreck!
6. Little Mix — A girl band that was formed on X Factor back in 2011.
7. David Beckham — This star footballer famously wore the number 7 shirt.
8. Tinder Date — Based on the popular dating app.
9. Selfie Time — A little vanity never hurt anyone!
10. Sunak’s Den — Number 10 is the home of the current Prime Minister (this one changes depending who it is!)
11. Legs 11 — The two number ones that make up 11 are said to look like legs.
12. One Dozen — A simple bingo call - 12 is often referred to as a dozen.
13. Unlucky for Some — The number 13 is often thought of as unlucky in some cultures. Did you know that fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia?
14. Valentine’s Day — Refers to 14th February - Valentine’s Day!
15. Yas Queen — A phrase that has become viral on social media.
16. Sweet 16 — This one probably got its inspiration from the classic tune ‘Sweet Sixteen and Never Been Kissed’.
17. Dancing Queen — This one is taken from the lyrics of the famous Abba song.
18. Coming of Age — The age when people are legally allowed to drink in the UK!
19. Goodbye Teens — This one refers to number 19 being the last number in the ‘teens’, before we get to the twenties.
20. One Score — A score is another way of saying 20. Some say that the term originated with shepherds, who would count 20 sheep at a time and then mark a score on their stick to keep count.
21. Royal Salute — The Royal Salute used to salute the Queen is also known as the 21 Gun Salute.
22. Two Little Ducks — It’s said that the visual shape of this number looks like two little ducks!
23. Thee and Me — A simple rhyme for number 23.
24. Lads on Tour — Commonly found in popular holiday destinations like Malaga and Benidorm.
25. Duck and Dive — Another visual reference - 25 is said to resemble one upright duck, and one upside-down one that has dived into the water!
26. Pick and Mix — A nostalgic reference to pick and mix sweets.
27. Hipster Heaven — This one is pretty self-explanatory!
28. Overweight — Another rhyme, as well as a visual reference to number eight, which is sometimes said to look like a fat lady.
29. Rise and Shine — A simple rhyme!
30. Dirty Gertie — A rhyme that refers to the classic song ‘Dirty Gertie’, which was popular during WWII.
31. Get Up and Run — A simple rhyme for 31.
32. Jimmy Choo — A famous designer shoe brand.
33. Dirty Knee — Another rhyme is on the cards here.
34. Ask for More — And another, which possibly refers to Dickens’ Oliver Twist and ‘please, Sir, can I have some more?’
35. Jump and Jive — A rhyming phrase that references the popular Jive dance craze of the 1940s and 1950s.
36. Three Dozen — This one is simple maths (3 x 12 = 36).
37. More than 11 — A slightly confusing one that is in fact just a simple rhyme.
38. Christmas Cake — Cockney rhyming slang (even though it’s not a perfect rhyme!).
39. Steps — This refers to The 39 Steps, an Alfred Hitchcock film about an international spy ring.
40. Naughty 40 — A simple rhyme that may refer to the idea that the fun doesn’t stop once you reach 40 years of age!
41. Time for Fun — Another one that may refer to the idea that life begins at 40!
42. Winnie the Pooh — A rhyme that refers to everyone’s favourite bear, who was created by A. A. Milne in 1926.
43. Down on Your Knees — Another rhyme that doesn’t have much additional significance.
44. Droopy Drawers — Some say that the number 44 looks like a person with baggy trousers! What do you think?
45. Halfway There — 45 is halfway to 90 - the highest number in bingo.
46. Up to Tricks — A rhyme that suggests someone might be up to no good!
47. Four and Seven — A slightly unimaginative one!
48. Tag a Mate — Refers to tagging on Facebook or Instagram.
49. Amazon Prime — The online marketplace that has taken the world by storm.
50. Half a Century — An easy maths one this time - half of 100 is 50
51. Tweak of the Thumb — A simple rhyme that means something similar to ‘in the blink of an eye’
52. Chicken Vindaloo — For those who like it spicy!
53. Stuck in the Tree — A simple rhyme for number 53.
54. Clean the Floor — Another rhyme that makes us think of household chores - boo!
55. Snakes Alive — Based on the idea that this number looks like two snakes (if you use your imagination!)
56. Was She Worth It? — A questionable one that refers to the fact that a marriage licence cost five shillings and sixpence back in the 1950s - we suppose this question would have been directed at the new husband!
57. Heinz Varieties — You may have noticed the number 57 on Heinz ketchup bottles before - did you know it refers to the number of different products in their range?
58. Make Them Wait — A simple rhyme for number 58.
59. Brighton Line — Route 59 was the train line Londoners took to head to Brighton for sunny days at the beach.
60. Five Dozen — No surprises here: 12 x 5 = 60
61. Bakers Bun — A simple rhyme here for number 61.
62. Turn the Screw — Another rhyme which shares the name of a horror story written by Henry James in 1898.
63. Tickle Me 63 — Another rhyme for number 63.
64. Red Raw — Another rhyme it is for number 64.
65. Old Age Pension — The age when people used to be able to retire and draw their pension!
66. Clickety Click — A rhyme for number 66.
67. Made in Heaven — Another rhyme for 67.
68. Saving Grace — This one rhymes as well!
69. Either Way Up — Refers to the shape of the numbers, which can be turned either way up.
70. Three Score and 10 — Some more maths for you: 3 x 20 (score) + 10 = 70
71. J. Lo’s Bum — Cheeky!
72. Six Dozen — Maths again! 6 x 12 = 72
73. Queen B — A simple rhyme that today’s online bingo players could interpret as a reference to Beyonce!
74. Candy Store — A simple rhyme that makes us think of our favourite sweets (cola bottles, of course!)
75. Strive and Strive — Another rhyme here.
76. Trombones — In 1950s Broadway musical The Music Man, the song goes that ‘76 trombones led the big parade’.
77. Sunset Strip — This refers to a popular TV show from the 1950s and 60s called 77 Sunset Strip.
78. Heaven’s Gate — A simple rhyme. 
79. One More Time — And another one!
80. Eight and Blank — A simple one that refers to the eight and the zero, or ‘blank’, which make up the number
81. Stop and Run — A slightly confusing one - could it mean stopping what you’re doing and running from the police?
82. Straight On Through — A simple rhyme, although it makes us think of someone running a red light!
83. Time for Tea — A simple rhyme.
84. Seven Dozen — A little more maths: 7 x 12 = 84
85. Staying Alive — A simple rhyme that makes us think of the Bee Gees song!
86. Between the Sticks — A rhyme that also refers to the position of the goalkeeper in football
87. Torquay in Devon — A simple, geographically accurate rhyme!
88. Wills and Kate — The next in line to the throne.
89. Nearly There — Just one more number to go!
90. Top of the Shop — A rhyme that represents the last number on the bingo card

How Important Is It to Learn Bingo Calls?

Although it’s by no means essential to learn bingo calls to play online bingo, many players find that it makes the gaming experience even more fun! 

You can use your new-found knowledge of the lingo in bingo chat rooms, which allow you to interact with your fellow players (and the game host) and play bonus games for a chance to win additional prizes.

You could even try making up some bingo calls of your own, if you’re feeling creative!

Play Online Bingo at Slingo.com

Now you can talk the talk, it’s time to walk the walk! Practise your new bingo lingo and play online bingo at Slingo.com, where you can find a great selection of bingo games and rooms to choose from. Sign up and play online bingo now!