How Were the bingo calls first created?

Bingo calls at www.onlinebingo.co have become embedded in the tradition of the game. It is hard to imagine playing a game of bingo without them, however, the truth is that bingo calls were not always a part of the game. The earliest bingo calls actually date back later than people think. 

First Bingo Calls 

Bingo calls are incredibly commonplace in modern games, it is rare to find a bingo game which doesn’t use bingo calls in some form. What players may not realise is that bingo calls are an incredibly long running tradition, dating back to the 1800s. The first bingo games are estimated to have taken place in the 17th century, so it took a little while before bingo calls became a true part of the game. The very first bingo calls are believed to be the result of cockney rhyming slang, these working class phrases incorporated certain words and slang into the game. Originally, bingo calls were not planned out. They were created completely on the spot in an effort to keep the attention and entertain players.

Most Common Bingo Calls 

Bingo calls can vary depending on where you are playing the game. Most of the early bingo rhyming slang actually came from London, however many modern bingo callers have added their own style to today’s calls. For instance, in the north of England they will have specific calls relating to the culture. Despite this, there are a few bingo calls that are commonly used no matter where the game is played. 

  1. 50 – half a century
  2. 12 – one dozen
  3. 22 – two little ducks
  4. 67 – stairway to heaven
  5. 40 – life begins
  6. 13 – unlucky for some
  7. 42 – winnie the pooh 

Future of Bingo Calls 

Bingo calls are ever changing, they have remained in constant flux since they were first used way back in the mid 1800s. Topics which were considered relevant back then are now considered history, so it makes sense why bingo callers have to update the lingo ever so often. 

  1. The future of bingo lingo is looking woke, there is a much bigger emphasis on inclusivity and acceptance in modern bingo lingo because of an increased push to try and get younger generations to enjoy the game.
  2. Bingo lingo can also be expected to become much more topical, many classic bingo lingo sayings have been or are in the process of being updated to better fit with modern times. Sayings such as 88 two fat ladies have now been changed to say 88 Wills and Kate to better reflect modern society.
  3. Despite these changes, it is clear that bingo lingo isn’t going anywhere. It will still continue to play a key part in the game, with modern updates helping to keep bingo lingo relevant to the younger generations.

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Final Thoughts 

Bingo calls are an important part of the game, they have become so embedded within the game that it is hard to imagine playing without them. The future of bingo calls also looks promising, with the next generation looking to add their own lingo.

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