‘Bing Bong’ – New York Knicks’ latest rallying cry is a simple phrase that pays homage to the city’s roots

You might’ve heard the term “Knickstape” as a slogan for the New York Knicks and their fan base. Well, that could be retiring. Replaced by two simple words: “Bing Bong.”

Knicks fan Jordie Bloom shouted the phrase on opening night of the Knicks’ season in a video from Sidetalk, a one-minute street show by New York University students Trent Simonian and Jack Byrne that conducts interviews in New York City. Their Twitter and Instagram pages combine for over 700,000 followers and their YouTube channel has more than 3 million views. They’ve interviewed celebrities such as Lil Uzi Vert, Bella Hadid and A$AP Rocky.

Since Bloom’s viral moment, the phrase has become a social media sensation, popping up on Twitter during Knicks games this season. But what does the phrase even mean? Where does it come from?

“The phrase is derived from the subway doors closing: ‘Stand clear of the closing doors please; bing-bong,'” Bloom said.

He added that Sidetalk NYC’s intro sound to their videos and New York rapper Nems were also sources of inspiration for the saying. Nems has a song titled “Bing Bong” that was released in August.

That outburst wasn’t planned, but Bloom was amped up after a thrilling overtime victory against a rival Boston Celtics team.

“I was leaving MSG to a sea full of happy and joyful Knick fans … I felt the need to walk over to them (the Sidetalk hosts) and rip a ‘Bing Bong,'” Bloom said.

His two-word phrase has become the Knicks’ new rallying cry this season. The team, along with some celebrity fans like late-night host and comedian Desus Nice, have embraced “Bing Bong.”

Bing bong pic.twitter.com/Rb7NrB15OA

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 23, 2021

BING BONG

— Desus Nice (@desusnice) October 27, 2021

Even players like guard Evan Fournier are using it.

Fournier is in his first season with the Knicks, averaging 17.5 points per game, second on the team. After a win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, the guard added the phrase to a postgame tweet.