Mnemonics - keep plucking chickens … — Bushel+Peck cider and perry

Yesterday’s blog about Foxwhelp (OLD, RED, IMPROVED, FAUX …) reminded us of the mnemonic we were taught at school 110 years ago to help us remember the system of classification for animals and plants …

KEEP PLUCKING CHICKENS OR FACE GETTING SACKED

… which is, of course, a phrase designed to help us remember

KINGDOM PHyLUM CLASS ORDER FAMILY GENUS SPECIES

In the intervening century biology has, no doubt, advanced somewhat and it's possible that our memorable 'O'-level mnemonic is no longer valid, or has been replaced with something more accurate but less memorable. There now appears to be a Sub-Order … or perhaps there always was but the 1976 Biology syllabus considered it too challenging for early-entry members of Generation X. Anyhow, that’s what we were taught, that’s what we learned, that’s what we remembered for the exams (which we passed) … and that’s what we still remember a hundred years later.

other mnemonics

And suddenly we remember a few more … and can just about remember what they relate to. In the field of Mathematics …

silly old harry caught a herring trawling off america

An alternative to this, using different terminology but pointing to the same principles, was:

some people have curly brown hair though painted black

In Geography …

old elephants have muddy skin

… and …

never eat shredded wheat

For general knowledge …

richard of york gave battle in vain

No doubt there were others and please let us know about them - use the CONTACT link at the bottom of the page and submit your comment. For submissions we find particularly apposite or intriguing we may even send you a few bottles of cider. Thanks for reading.

Mnemonics - keep plucking chickens …