A Dictionary of Mnemonics (PLE: Memory)

Various

• Publisher: Psychology Press
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781138965447
• eBook ISBN: 9781317750420
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Cognitive Psychology & Cognition
• Index: Psychology

The Greeks invented them. All manner of people in the European Middle Ages used them, often with creative and brilliant effect. Victorian schoolmasters in England almost buried them and the pupils who had to cram facts parrot-fashion. Originally published in 1972, this title brought mnemonics back into focus with a new collection designed for current use.

A mnemonic is anything that gets your memory working. When in the month does the third quarter-day fall? What order have the planets from the sun? Are you sure about the kings and queens of England? People nowadays have so much to remember that even those quite happy with ?2 = 1.414 may prefer to chant 'I wish I know the root of two' and remind themselves in that way.

Although some entries are very much of their time, this title reminds us that mnemonics are still a useful tool in a world where technology means most people feel they have little need to remember.

Acids, amino

For the ten essential amino acids (arginine and histidine only required by infants):

These ten valuable amino-acids have long preserved life in man.

(threonine, tryptophan, valine, arginine, histidine, lysine, phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine)

Acids, di-carboxylic

For the first seven members of the series:

Only men seek girls as piquant spouses.

(oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic)

Alternative

(for the first six only):

Omsgap

(oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic)

Algebra

For the order of operations in complex algebraic or numerical expression:

Bless my dear Aunt Sally!

(brackets, multiply, divide, add, subtract)

Arteries in frog

For the arteries in a frog, in the order in which they branch off the main aorta:

Little men in short black mackintoshes.

(lingual, mandibular, innominate, subclavian, brachial, musculocutaneous)

Atom, model of

For the order in which shells are filled in the quantum mechanical model of the atom:

(i.e. the order follows that of the arrows downwards from the top:

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁶ 7s²)

Battles, dates of

For those in the War of the Spanish Succession, use ‘the Duke of Marlborough’s telephone number’:

BROM 4689

(Blenheim 1704, Ramillies 1706, Oudenarde 1708, Malplaquet 1709)

For an assorted trio:

Think of

13B, 14A, 15F

as in a triangle, which gives ‘Bannockburn 1314’, ‘Agincourt 1415’, ‘Flodden 1513’.

Bile

For the properties of bile:

Bile from the liver emulsifies greases

Tinges the urine and colours the faeces

Aids peristalsis, prevents putrefaction

If you remember all this you’ll give satisfaction.

Blood

For the functions of the blood:

Old Charlie Foster hates women having dull clothes.

(oxygen (transport), carbon dioxide (transport), food, heat, waste, hormones, disease, clotting)

Bones

For the bones of the upper limb:

Some criminals have underestimated Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

(scapula, clavicle, humerus, ulna, radius, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges)

For the bones of the lower limb:

Help for police to find the missing prisoner.

(hip, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges)

For the vertebral bones of the spinal column:

Clever Dick looks silly clot.

(cervical, dorsal, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx)

Caesar, battles won by

For his victories in the struggle with Pompey’s faction (49–45 B.C.):

Is perpetual zeal the means?

(Ilerda, Pharsalus, Zela, Thapsus, Munda)

Camels

For distinguishing two species:

A camel I am it’s plain to see

But am I a Bactrian or Dromedary ?

Lay down the

and then the

And which I am is plain as can be.

Carbohydrates, monosaccharides

For the eight D-aldohexoses (a series of sugars containing six carbon atoms):

All altru...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Original Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Publisher’s Note
• Acknowledgements
• THE MNEMONICS
• Subject-index