Facts about Bingo calls for numbers 81 to 90. Usually calls for these numbers are something like "8 and 9, 89". Some numbers have other, more interesting calls.
Bingo calls for the number 81
- Stop and run. Because it rhymes. Is it possible to do both things?
Bingo calls for the number 82
- Fat lady with a duck. Because the calls for 8 and 2 are "One fat lady" and "One little duck".
Bingo calls for the number 83
- "Time for tea. A simple rhyme.
- Fat lady and a flea. Because the calls for 8 and 3 are "One fat lady" and "One little flea".
- Ethel’s ear. The story goes that one of the first Bingo players was called Ethel, and she had big ears. There is no photographic proof.
Bingo calls for the number 84
- 7 dozen. Because a dozen is 12 things, and 7 12s make 84.
Bingo calls for the number 85
- Staying alive. A simple rhyme. The players will often start singing the 1977 song "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees.
Bingo calls for the number 86
- Between the sticks. Another rhyme. The sticks, a reference to the goal posts, is where the goalkeeper stands in a football match.
Bingo calls for the number 87
- Torquay in Devon. Because Devon rhymes with seven. Known as the English Riviera, Torquay is one of the UK's major holiday destinations.
- Fat lady with a crutch. Because the calls for 8 and 7 are "One fat lady" and "One little crutch". I'm beginning to feel sorry for this lady. Why doesn't any one mention her good points?
Bingo calls for the number 88
- All the eights. Again, because it is.
- Two fat ladies. Because the call for 8 is "One fat lady". At least she's got some company now. If they are still in Devon, maybe they could share a Devon cream tea?
Bingo calls for the number 89
- Almost there. Because 89 one number short of 90, the last number. Some players will sing the song "Almost There", which was made famous by Andy Williams.
- Nearly there. The same idea. But no song.
Bingo calls for the number 90
- Top of the shop. Because "top" and "shop" rhyme, and 90 is the highest number in the game of Bingo.
- Similar calls are "Top of the house" and "End of the line".
- Four score and ten. A score is 20 things, and 4 20s plus 10 make 90.
- Blind ninety. The players will often say "Nine, Oh" in a northern accent, and the caller will respond "Aye".
