A valuable learning tool: Mnemonics

[lisarea]

Non-Essential Mnemonics (http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/mnemonics/index.html)

I just made one, but you have to figure out what it's for.

There. Open four or five noodles then six fat Twinkies for every new sale now that Tony took to every forgotten store the stupid five ton tree excavated every Tuesday to satisfy nine fat zealots teetering every ending Friday of November.

Now add your own!

[LadyShea]

We taught Kiddo his phone number using a mnemonic, but I can't tell what it was because then you'd have our phone number :glare:

Anyway it had like pink cows and alligators with 1 tooth and a bunch of crazy.

[Qingdai]

Kings play chess on fine grain sand. Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species



My very educated mother just served us nothing. Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune.

[Ymir's blood]

Turkey Trots To Water GG From Cincpac Action Com Third Fleet Info Cominch Ctf Seventy-Seven X Where Is RPT Where Is Task Force Thirty Four RR The World Wonders

[Naru]

On, on, on, they traveled and found vikings guarding very ancient hammers.

[Sophia]

Sweet! I'll use mnemonics to help overcome the insidious pro-Quaker cultural bias which enables Seebs to outscore me on IQ tests.

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Dow/Popsci Periodic Table (http://www.popsci.com/files/periodic_popup.html):

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Solve Puzzles for Science | Foldit (http://fold.it/):

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http://www.mathway.com/:

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SpeedCrunch - fast and usable calculator (http://www.speedcrunch.org/):

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Languages

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[Ymir's blood]

Wow, and I thought my post was missing the point completely.

[Qingdai]

Mine did, yet :whoosh:

[livius drusus]

Hi. Here Lies Beery Bill Caught Napping On Friday. Need Nameless Mugs All Simultaneously Pressing Salary Claims. Are Kittens Cats?

I'm not sorry it's not useless, lisapea. I can't help it that I remember Very Important Things.

[Qingdai]

Whoosh, da wind, Love Hope Peace.
That one is pretty much useless after you take your boards.

[Chris Porter]

Every gadget behaves daringly fast
Fast appliances cruise everywhere


Gadgets behave daringly fast already
Appliances cruise elevated glidepaths

[Demimonde]

I leaded your first one Chris P as "every good boy deserves fudge" I don't remember the others though. I have trouble with this type of mnemonic. My tutor for dyslexia trained me to see sentences as a whole rather than linear so that word order is a relationship. Thus "over the hill ran the fox" is the same as "the fox ran over the hill." This helps me a great deal in reading comprehension but kills me for these types of memory aids.

Insteady dad taught me to use visual mnemonic devices in a memory palace. I create rooms with objects and place them so that they can trigger my recall. The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci is a good book on the subject. Even more interesting, because as a monk he traveled to China in the sixteenth century and blended western and eastern meathods of learning.

[livius drusus]

Yes! And he made the Impossible Black Tulip of Cartography (http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/4418).

[Pan Narrans]

Poe, E.
Near a Raven

Midnights so dreary, tired and weary.
Silently pondering volumes extolling all by-now obsolete lore.
During my rather long nap - the weirdest tap!
An ominous vibrating sound disturbing my chamber's antedoor.
"This", I whispered quietly, "I ignore".

Perfectly, the intellect remembers: the ghostly fires, a glittering ember.
Inflamed by lightning's outbursts, windows cast penumbras upon this floor.
Sorrowful, as one mistreated, unhappy thoughts I heeded:
That inimitable lesson in elegance - Lenore -
Is delighting, exciting...nevermore.

Ominously, curtains parted (my serenity outsmarted),
And fear overcame my being - the fear of "forevermore".
Fearful foreboding abided, selfish sentiment confided,
As I said, "Methinks mysterious traveler knocks afore.
A man is visiting, of age threescore."

Taking little time, briskly addressing something: "Sir," (robustly)
"Tell what source originates clamorous noise afore?
Disturbing sleep unkindly, is it you a-tapping, so slyly?
Why, devil incarnate!--" Here completely unveiled I my antedoor--
Just darkness, I ascertained - nothing more.

While surrounded by darkness then, I persevered to clearly comprehend.
I perceived the weirdest dream...of everlasting "nevermores".
Quite, quite, quick nocturnal doubts fled - such relief! - as my intellect said,
(Desiring, imagining still) that perchance the apparition was uttering a whispered "Lenore".
This only, as evermore.

Silently, I reinforced, remaining anxious, quite scared, afraid,
While intrusive tap did then come thrice - O, so stronger than sounded afore.
"Surely" (said silently) "it was the banging, clanging window lattice."
Glancing out, I quaked, upset by horrors hereinbefore,
Perceiving: a "nevermore".

Completely disturbed, I said, "Utter, please, what prevails ahead.
Repose, relief, cessation, or but more dreary 'nevermores'?"
The bird intruded thence - O, irritation ever since! -
Then sat on Pallas' pallid bust, watching me (I sat not, therefore),
And stated "nevermores".

Bemused by raven's dissonance, my soul exclaimed, "I seek intelligence;
Explain thy purpose, or soon cease intoning forlorn 'nevermores'!"
"Nevermores", winged corvus proclaimed - thusly was a raven named?
Actually maintain a surname, upon Pluvious seashore?
I heard an oppressive "nevermore".

My sentiments extremely pained, to perceive an utterance so plain,
Most interested, mystified, a meaning I hoped for.
"Surely," said the raven's watcher, "separate discourse is wiser.
Therefore, liberation I'll obtain, retreating heretofore -
Eliminating all the 'nevermores' ".

Still, the detestable raven just remained, unmoving, on sculptured bust.
Always saying "never" (by a red chamber's door).
A poor, tender heartache maven - a sorrowful bird - a raven!
O, I wished thoroughly, forthwith, that he'd fly heretofore.
Still sitting, he recited "nevermores".

The raven's dirge induced alarm - "nevermore" quite wearisome.
I meditated: "Might its utterances summarize of a calamity before?"
O, a sadness was manifest - a sorrowful cry of unrest;
"O," I thought sincerely, "it's a melancholy great - furthermore,
Removing doubt, this explains 'nevermores' ".

Seizing just that moment to sit - closely, carefully, advancing beside it,
Sinking down, intrigued, where velvet cushion lay afore.
A creature, midnight-black, watched there - it studied my soul, unawares.
Wherefore, explanations my insight entreated for.
Silently, I pondered the "nevermores".

"Disentangle, nefarious bird! Disengage - I am disturbed!"
Intently its eye burned, raising the cry within my core.
"That delectable Lenore - whose velvet pillow this was, heretofore,
Departed thence, unsettling my consciousness therefore.
She's returning - that maiden - aye, nevermore."

Since, to me, that thought was madness, I renounced continuing sadness.
Continuing on, I soundly, adamantly forswore:
"Wretch," (addressing blackbird only) "fly swiftly - emancipate me!"
"Respite, respite, detestable raven - and discharge me, I implore!"
A ghostly answer of: "nevermore".

" 'Tis a prophet? Wraith? Strange devil? Or the ultimate evil?"
"Answer, tempter-sent creature!", I inquired, like before.
"Forlorn, though firmly undaunted, with 'nevermores' quite indoctrinated,
Is everything depressing, generating great sorrow evermore?
I am subdued!", I then swore.

In answer, the raven turned - relentless distress it spurned.
"Comfort, surcease, quiet, silence!" - pleaded I for.
"Will my (abusive raven!) sorrows persist unabated?
Nevermore Lenore respondeth?", adamantly I encored.
The appeal was ignored.

"O, satanic inferno's denizen -- go!", I said boldly, standing then.
"Take henceforth loathsome "nevermores" - O, to an ugly Plutonian shore!
Let nary one expression, O bird, remain still here, replacing mirth.
Promptly leave and retreat!", I resolutely swore.
Blackbird's riposte: "nevermore".

So he sitteth, observing always, perching ominously on these doorways.
Squatting on the stony bust so untroubled, O therefore.
Suffering stark raven's conversings, so I am condemned, subserving,
To a nightmare cursed, containing miseries galore.
Thus henceforth, I'll rise (from a darkness, a grave) -- nevermore!


-- from here (http://www.uoguelph.ca/~pjf/Pi/pi.mnemonic.extrordinaire.html)

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

Kings play chess on fine grain sand. Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species



My very educated mother just served us nothing. Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune.
:offended: Fuck you "dwarf planet" bigots!

LadyShea, you shared your phone number mnemonic before, and did give away your number. Just FYI.

[erimir]

I think she made up numbers for a new example.

But in case she didn't, I'm off to prank call LS :powercall:

[Deadlokd]

Learning about peptides Sophia? Good for you. Now if only you had a time machine.

I learned every good boy deserves fruit and simply FACE.

[mickthinks]

One of my favourites:

How I wish I could calculate pie

It codes its message in an unusual way - the unexpected spelling of the last word gives a clue.

3.141593 ≈ π

[LadyShea]

I don't understand the pi one, Mick, can you explain?

I have never really used mnemonics except for Roy G Biv for the rainbow and SHOME for the Great Lakes, so most of these make no sense to me at all.

ETA: Doh, I got it now.

[LadyShea]

LadyShea, you shared your phone number mnemonic before, and did give away your number. Just FYI.


No I didn't post the whole number, only the area code.

[lisarea]

I have your phone number, Lady Shea. Hang on while I find it so I can poast it for you. :brb:

Also I have a new mnemonic.

Smart People Do Just Work To Succeed Righteously. Virtue Seems Attainable!

The cast members of Jersey Shore: Snooki, Pauli D, J-Woww, The Situation, Ronnie, Vinny, Sammi, Angelina

[Ensign Steve]

Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away

All People Seem To Need Data Processing

[lisarea]

Always go away howling, leaving wet recriminations, moldering boasts. Reeling between old resentments while screaming KILL ME! KIDNEY PESTS! but knowing just knowing relief soothes, kidney stones muster virtue.

Prominent actors and media figures who have suffered from kidney stones according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidney_stone_formers#Actors_and_media_figures): Ava Gardner, Alfred Hitchcock, Lew Wasserman, Roger Moore, Burt Reynolds, Bill O'Reilly, William Shatner, Kevin Murphy, Karl Pilkington, Buzz Kilman, Jamie Kennedy, Rob Schneider, Kiefer Sutherland, and Mike Vogel.

[lisarea]

Soap ones are salient. Obliviously washing, cleaning to avenge death.

The types of mummies according to the top two answers to the question on Answers.com (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_types_of_mummies_are_there): Smart ones and stupid ones. Who cares they are dead.

[The Lone Ranger]

Kings play chess on fine grain sand. Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species
The mnemonic I learned was King Philip (or David*) Came Over For Green Salad.

*Botanists insist on calling a Phylum a "Division."



On, on, on, they traveled and found vikings guarding very ancient hammers.
The mnemonic I learned for the 12 cranial nerves goes: "On Old Olympus' Towering Top, A Fine-Vested German Viewed a Hawk." (Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, Hypoglossal)


I learned "Oh Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me" for the main spectral classes of stars: O B A F G K M.


The one I learned for the 8 carpal bones is: "Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle." (Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate).


Cheers,

Michael

[lisarea]

I knew I was taking a big risk putting this in the Edumacational Forum, but HOOOOEY BOY, you nerds.

Justified Jealousy: Death Debases Traditional Moron Rock Elite. Carpe Juventas!

The Ramones: Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, Tommy, Marky, Richie, Elvis, CJ

[Doctor X]

The mnemonic I learned for the 12 cranial nerves goes: "On Old Olympus' Towering Top, A Fine-Vested German Viewed a Hawk." (Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, Hypoglossal)

Meh . . . Oh! Oh! Oh! To Touch and Feel a Girl's VaginA's [Or "Vagina, Ah Heavenly!"--Ed.] Hot!

L2, 3, 4 keeps the pee off floor.

Though, years ago, a Brother tried to come up with a mnemonic for the 12 Tribes of Israel--OMG! JEWS!

He was a bit pissed that the class came up with:

DR. J.J. BANGS LIZ

--J.D.

[The Lone Ranger]

Last semester, some of my students came up with: Oh! Oh! Oh! To Touch And Feel Virgin Girls' Vaginas -- Ah Heaven!

At the time, I assumed that they'd made it up: maybe they didn't, though? Interestingly, it was a couple of girls who suggested this as an alternative to the one I'd given them.


Cheers,

Michael

[ceptimus]

Bad boys rape our young girls but virgins go without - resistor colour code:

0 : Black
1 : Brown
2 : Red
3 : Orange
4 : Yellow
5 : Green
6 : Blue
7 : Violet
8 : Grey
9 : White

[Nullifidian]

Here's one from my grammar and rhetoric class:

FANBOYS

That's a mnemonic for the seven major coordinating conjunctions in American English: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

[erimir]

I'd hardly call "nor" a major coordinating conjunction in terms of modern usage.

[LadyShea]

Neither/nor
either/or

[erimir]

Oh I was just making a burn against "nor" because the populace nowadays don't use it much.

A lot of times it ends up being "neither x or y", or people don't use the construction at all "not x or y".

[lisarea]

That is probably the top Nor Burn I've seen all week, erimir. :trophy:

But if you guys aren't careful, I am going to compose a German joke about how TERRIBLE YOU ARE AT FOLLOWING THE RULES, and then I will shutter this whole thrad for noncompliance!


Prosecutors replaced consecutively. Keystone justice! Results almost consistently so so, and best criminals return.

Law & Order Assistant District Attorneys, chronologically: Paul Robinette, Clair Kincaid, Jamie Ross, Abbie Carmichael, Serena Southerlyn, Alexandra Borgia, Connie Rubirosa

[ceptimus]

I don't understand the pi one, Mick, can you explain?

ETA: Doh, I got it now.

This one works the same way (count the letters in each word to get the next digit of pi).

How I like a drink, alcoholic of course, after the heavy lectures involving quantum mechanics.

There is a problem with pi mnemonics - aside the fact that they are harder to remember than the number itself - what happens when you need to encode a zero?

Luckily, pi doesn't have any zeroes till you get to the thirty first decimal place - and by then the mnemonics have become impossibly contrived anyway.

[Doctor X]

At the time, I assumed that they'd made it up:

:sadno:

It is an ancient mnemonic. To quote the observation from Taxi when Louis DePalma whispers a password in DeNardo's ear:

DeNardo: That's disgusting!

Louis: But memorable.

--J.D.