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The Fascinating World of Bingo Calls:
Stories
Behind the Numbers |
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Bingo is a game played by millions around the world. Throughout its rich history, it has picked up parts of popular
culture that have been added to the game and form part of the memorable calls. These calls, which add another layer of humour to the pastime, have fascinating
roots, and in this article, we're going to take you on a journey through time and explain some interesting ones.
Kelly’s Eye (Number 1)
The first one on the list is the first on the bingo calls too, Kelly's eye. But where does
this come from? As it is with many facets of history, it has been long debated, but most agree there are two possible explanations.
The first
theory says that it comes from Ned Kelly, one of the most famous outlaws in Australia. There are many stories that
abound about Kelly, and one is that he had a bulletproof helmet
that had one slit for vision, which helped him as he carried out his daring escapades. For this reason, this call is thought to reference his helmet's solitary
eye. |
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| Photo by
Bruno Guerrero on
Unsplash |
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The other explanation is that it comes from slang in the British Army. It is said that soldiers used to refer to the
ace in a deck of cards as Kelly's Eye, which then became synonymous with the number one in Bingo.
Doctor’s Orders (Number 9)
Bingo has evolved over the years and is now very much at home in the digital world too. Gamers
can play bingo online and take advantage of the traditional bingo game but also many more varieties, such as Deal or
No Deal Bingo and Cash Cubes,. However, despite this move into the modern age, historic calls still exist, with this one having its origin in the military.
During wartime, the soldiers would have a long list of ailments. One of these was constipation, which was cured with a laxative commonly known as number 9
pills. Due to their effectiveness, they were then jokingly referred to as the doctor's orders for a range of sicknesses. Bingo became hugely popular among
servicemen and women, and so the dreaded pills made their way into the game, bridging the gap between history and bingo.
76 Trombones (Number 76)
The call for 76 brings some musical variety to the bingo calls. Originating from the Broadway
musical The Music
Man by Meredith Willson, the song 76 Trombones is a jubilant anthem performed by a marching band. The popularity of the musical meant that it became
part of popular culture, and its inclusion in bingo gives the game a sense of nostalgia, much like the calls relating to ABBA. |
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| Photo by
Benjamin Hibbert-Hingston on
Unsplash |
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| As a game, Bingo is a celebration of numerous parts of history and humour, as evidenced by the three calls we
have discussed in this article. It has evolved, but these calls still remain, ensuring it is more than just a numbers game. |
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