The Role of Bingo During World War II
Source: Pexels
The Second World War was a collaborative effort. From brave servicemen to citizens on the street, everyone played their part. Often overlooked is the role that entertainment played in the conflict. It kept morale high during the period. Bingo was one of many games, which kept the allied forces and civilians entertained.
Bingo During Wartime
Bingo was the ideal way to keep up spirits during wartime. With many people huddled in air raid shelters or bunkers, and with little in the way of resources, bingo was easy to set up and play. People could make their own cards, and create counters with balls or pieces of paper.
There were not always prizes involved, and games were different to the ones we know today. Modern online bingo games almost always have attractive prizes, and even come with bonus offers so you can play for free for a while. With today’s connected society, you can also play from anywhere you have your mobile device. However, this was not a luxury afforded in the early forties.
The Fascinating History of Bingo Calls
Source: Pexels
Many of the bingo calls found in halls today have their roots in wartime. You will find these phrases associated with certain numbers, making it easier for players to hear and identify them. There are even rumours that people used them as a type of code.
Forty-three, for example, is commonly paired with the phrase ‘Down on your knee’. This is from wartime, a phrase used to tell people to duck and cover when in battle. Some were even the names of popular songs, such as Dirty Gertie, often paired with thirty. A score, for instance, is used to describe anything in batches of 20, including military units of the time. However, its entomology goes even further back and comes from old Norse languages.
The Legacy of Bingo
There are plenty of documents and footage that back up just how popular the game was then. The word tombola is often interchanged with bingo, especially when used in more informal games. This comes from the British Royal Navy’s love for a very similar game of Italian origin which was often played on ships. There are even pictures of off-duty engineers, who had taken a break from digging trenches and lines to have a game of what was called ‘Housey’.
When many of these people returned from war, the love for the game remained. In the post-war boom, bingo became a popular pastime. When the sixties arrived, the television set put an end to the golden age of cinema. It was bingo halls that took up residence in many of the grand old buildings that had been picture houses before.
Off-duty activities have changed drastically for the military. This is mainly down to the era of the internet and technology. However, bingo remains popular in whatever format it is played. Be it a mobile device or old-fashioned cards and a machine, it will continue to lift spirits and bring joy across the world.
