Peter Wright’s book about Cockney Slang1 has a brilliant section on Cockney Bingo Lingo, including the calls heard in London bingo clubs.
As we do a deep dive into Bingo Lingo here, I thought it would be pertinent to include Peter’s list of lingo.
Interestingly, Wright gives the highest bingo number as 99. Traditionally it is 90, but in some instances it is recorded as 992 and even 1003. We will cover why in a future post.
| Number | Lingo |
|---|---|
| 1 |
buttered scone |
|
2 |
me an’ you ( or Dr Who from children’s TV) |
| 3 |
you an’ me (or up a tree) |
| 4 |
knock at the door ( or door to door) |
| 5 |
Jack alive, dead alive |
| 6 |
Tom Mix, (more modern) choppin’ sticks or chopsticks |
| 7 |
Gawd’s in ‘eaven |
| 8 |
‘Arry Tate |
| 9 |
‘Orspital or doctor’s orders (No rhyme. From no.9 pills formerly given in the Army) |
| 10 |
cock(s) an’ ‘en ( otherwise Dahnin’ Street) |
| 11 |
Legs eleven (from the shape) |
| 12 |
monkey’s cousin ‘dozen’ |
| 13 |
Unlucky for some |
| 15 |
rugby team (correct for rugby union but imperfect rhyme) |
| 21 |
age o’ mi ol’ dutch (all ladies like to be thought younger) |
| 22 |
dinky-do |
| 22 |
two ducks (from the shape of the figures) |
| 26 |
‘alf a crahn (old money) |
| 30 |
speed limit |
| 44 |
menopause ‘all the fours’ |
| 49 |
Cannock-nuff (from Great War attempts at French quarante-neuf) or copper (from PC 49 of radio) |
| 65 |
Stop work (men’s retirement age) |
| 66 |
clickety-click (imperfect rhyme) or chop(pin’)-sticks |
| 76 |
Was she worf it? (from 7/6d., the old price ofa marriage licence) or the trombones (from the song about 76 trombones) |
| 77 |
Two little crutches (from their shape) |
| 88 |
Two fat women (from their shape) |
| 99 |
Top of the tree (highest number) |
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