Gambling terminology has always been a part of popular culture. Whether or not you know it, you probably used slang words and phrases regularly. The fact that you don’t know where they originate from is a sign of the power of gambling parlance.
It’s everywhere, constantly updating and embedding itself within society as our culture grows and evolves. Something this amazing requires analysis, which is why this post aims to show you how gambling terminology continues to remain at the forefront of popular culture.
The Popularity of Verticals
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Some verticals are so popular that the language becomes indecipherable from the industry. Bingo is a prime example because the game has arguably had the biggest impact on the English language out of all the sectors. The number of offerings, from traditional rooms to Slingos and scratch cards, combined with its ability to adapt to the times means bingo slang is still active. Even online operators leverage the phrases, with the best online bingo services incorporating a caller that controls the action by announcing the numbers and their corresponding phrases for variants from 75- and 90-ball bingo to 30-ball and 50-ball bingo.
The renaissance of the game reinforces the language since the late 90s and early 2000s. Participation levels dropped dramatically until bingo went online and appealed to a younger audience that has extra disposable income to spend on their favorite hobbies. A direct effect of this is their influence on the new terms that reflect their preferences, such as “YOLO” for number one or “Tinder Date” for number eight.
Another sub-sector that continually pushes the boundaries as far as gambling terminology is concerned is sports. In the UK, the words and phrases associated with soccer quickly catch on. “Acca” short for an accumulator, is the trendy way for bettors to highlight that they will wager on soccer matches by selecting a handful of teams.
Iconic Movies with Powerful Storylines
Although the TV and movie industries don’t appear to have connections with gambling, they have been inextricably linked for decades. For instance, the 70s and 80s were the heydays of the mafia in the US. Everyone was interested in this life and what it meant to be a “wise guy,” which resulted in several gangster depictions from the likes of Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Mike Newell.
At the time, the organization was heavily into the casino industry, and something deeply rooted it in cities like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Therefore, a lot of the language that became trendy as a result of powerful storylines from the likes of Casino and Goodfellas was synonymous with gambling.
Slang from “High Roller” to “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” is used throughout these movies, so it’s no wonder it permeated the culture. After all, movies are powerful because they evoke strong feelings. The fact that people not only remember these iconic releases 30 years later but continue to use the terminology, is a testament to this.
Modern-Day Gaming
Language can’t rest on its laurels. With new phrases breaking into pop culture regularly, old words need to remain in the spotlight if they plan on staying relevant. As far as gambling terminology is concerned, partnering with the gaming industry has secured its place with the English language. Again, bingo is an excellent example.
To ensure players choose bingo services, the developers leverage themes to appeal to users. The movie Grease is the perfect foil since it already has a dedicated audience that will try anything with a Grease theme, including Grease bingo, where you can score a House while attempting to trigger the “You’re the One That I Want” jackpot.
Video games do the same thing, too. Rockstar is particularly interested in using gambling to engage players, with Grand Theft Auto: Online and the Red Dead Redemption offerings include opportunities to experience casinos, poker and blackjack. Since the studio is obsessed with authenticity, these mini-games are representative of the experience you’d expect. Yes, that means using the right language.
Essentially, gambling services integrate with popular entertainment forms, from video gaming to movies and sports, as well as being in-demand themselves. Therefore, the reach of the language is huge and easily transcends its specific industry.