A game of chance where players mark numbers on cards as they are called out. Also used as an exclamation to express sudden success or realization.
The game's name likely comes from the exclamation of joy made by winners. Possibly derived from 'bing,' an exclamation expressing a sharp ringing sound, with the addition of '-o' for emphasis. The game evolved from 16th-century Italian lottery 'Lo Giuoco del Lotto.'
Bingo was originally called 'Beano' because players used beans to mark their cards, but the name changed when someone excitedly shouted 'Bingo!' instead of 'Beano' after winning. The game became a cultural phenomenon partly because it provided a socially acceptable form of gambling for women in mid-20th century America.
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