1434: Mnemonics pt 1: Abbreviations Nov 14, 2018

Mnemonics can take lots of forms, but these usually verbal cues—which help with memory—are also just another thing to remember. These can range from simple initialisms and acronyms [1] or be more complicated rhymes and even full lyrics, but these are all easier to memorize than straight speech, and this latter category will be looked at. What all of these do though, even if it may be more to remember, is to provide a sort of rhythm, and moreover provides a way to check if one of the elements of any given initialism is forgotten. After all, these are treated grammatically as distinct words, independent of their wholistic meaning. Indeed, the majority of these initialisms are three letters, even when they shouldn't be, like with DoE (Department of Education), as three is better than two for creating a distinct and memorable pattern.