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A mnemonic device ( ), memory trick or memory device is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval in the human memory, often by associating the information with something that is easier to remember.
It makes use of e ...
s are used to memorize the scientific classification applied in taxonomy
image:Hierarchical clustering diagram.png, 280px, Generalized scheme of taxonomy
Taxonomy is a practice and science concerned with classification or categorization. Typically, there are two parts to it: the development of an underlying scheme o ...
. They are usually constructed with a series of words that begin with the letters KPCOFGS, corresponding to the initials of the primary taxonomic ranks. Words beginning with D (corresponding to domain) are sometimes added to the beginning of the sequence, and words beginning with S (corresponding to subspecies
In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...
) are sometimes added at the end of the sequence.
For example, ''Dear King Phillip Came Over For Good Spaghetti'' has the first letter of each word corresponding in order to the first letter of the descending order of scientific classification.
Zoology mnemonics
Zoology mnemonics, which are used to memorize the scientific taxonomic classification system, include: * "Dear King Philip came over for good soup." * "Despicable King Phillip came over for grandma's specialty." * "Despicable King Phillip covets our fancy giant swimming pool." * "Dizzy kids puke cereal on Fair Grounds staff." * "Do kindly place candy out for good students." * "Drunken Kangaroos Punch Children on Family Game Shows" was seen on an episode of " The Game Theorists" * "Dumb kids pick candy over fresh green seaweed." * "Dumb kids playing catch on freeways get squashed." * "Dumb King Phillip came over for grape soda." * "Keep pond clean or fish get sick." * "Kevin, please come over for gay sex." was seen in Community episode: " Virtual Systems Analysis" * "Kim Pine, can our family go swimming?" * "King prawns curl over fresh green salad." * "King Phillip came over for good sex." * "Kings playCroquet
Croquet ( or ) is a sport which involves hitting wooden, plastic, or composite balls with a mallet through hoops (often called Wicket, "wickets" in the United States) embedded in a grass playing court.
Variations
In all forms of croquet, in ...
on fine grass slopes."
* "Kings play cards on fat guys' stomachs."
* "Kings play chess on fancy glass stools."
* "Kinky people come over for group sex."
* "Kids prefer chocolate over fresh green spinach."
Keep in mind that including or excluding "Domain" from this will work either way.
Botany mnemonics
Botanical taxonomy uses the rank of division in place of phylum. Some botany mnemonics follow one of the "King Phillip" variants, with David in place of Phillip.See also
*Biological classification
In biology, taxonomy () is the scientific study of naming, defining ( circumscribing) and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics. Organisms are grouped into taxa (singular: taxon), and these groups are give ...
References
{{Science mnemonics Science mnemonics