Editing Mnemonic major system (section)

==The system==
Each numeral is associated with one or more consonants. The link is to the sound, not the letter. (For example, the letters C in "cat", "Cynthia", and "cello" each have different values in the system: 7, 0, and 6, respectively.) [[Vowel|Vowels]], [[semivowels]] and the consonant /h/ are ignored. These can be used as "fillers" to make sensible words from the resulting consonant sequences. A standard mapping<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hale-Evans|first1=Ron|title=Mind Performance Hacks|date=February 2006|publisher=O'Reilly|location=Sebastopol, CA|isbn=0-596-10153-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/mindperformanceh00hale/page/14 14]|edition=1|ref=Hale-Evans|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mindperformanceh00hale/page/14}}</ref> is:

{| class="wikitable"
 |-
 ! Numeral || [[English phonology#Consonants|Sounds]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]) || [[English orthography#Consonants|Commonly associated letters]] || Mnemonic and remarks
 |-
 |0 ||/s/, /z/ ||''s'', soft ''c'', ''z''||''Zero'' begins with ''z'' (and /z/). Upper case ''S'' and ''Z'', as well as lower case ''s'' and ''z'', have ''zero'' vertical strokes each, as with the numeral ''0''. The alveolar fricatives /s/ and /z/ form a [[Voice (phonetics)|voiceless and voiced pair]].
 |-
 |1 ||/t/, /d/, /θ/, /ð/ ||''t'', ''d'', ''th'' (both in ''thing'' and ''this'')||Upper case ''T'' and ''D'', as well as lower case ''t'' and ''d'' have ''one'' vertical stroke each, as with the numeral ''1''. The alveolar stops /t/ and /d/ form a voiceless and voiced pair, as do the similar-sounding dental fricatives /θ/ and /ð/, though some variant systems may omit the latter pair.
 |-
 |2 ||/n/ ||''n'' ||Upper case ''N'' and lower case ''n'' each have ''two'' vertical strokes and ''two'' points on the [[Baseline (typography)|baseline]].
 |-
 |3 ||/m/ ||''m'' ||Lower case ''m'' has ''three'' vertical strokes. Both upper case ''M'' and lower case ''m'' each have ''three'' points on the baseline and look like the numeral ''3'' on its side.
 |-
 |4 ||/r/ ||''r'' ||''Four'' ends with ''r'' (and /r/ in rhotic accents).
 |-
 |5 ||/l/ ||''l'' ||''L'' is the [[Roman numeral]] for ''5''0. Among the ''five'' digits of one's ''l''eft hand, the thumb and index fingers also form an ''L''.
 |-
 |6 ||/tʃ/, /dʒ/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/ ||''ch'' (in ''cheese'' and ''chef''), ''j'', soft ''g'', ''sh''||Upper case ''G'' looks like the numeral ''6'' and lower case ''g'' looks like the numeral ''6'' rotated 180°. Lower case [[Script typeface|script]] ''j'' tends to have a lower loop, like the numeral ''6''. In some [[serif]] fonts, upper case ''CH'', ''SH'' and ''ZH'' each have ''six'' serifs. ''CH''ur''ch'' has six letters. The postalveolar affricates /tʃ/ and /dʒ/ form a voiceless and voiced pair, as do the similar-sounding postalveolar fricatives /ʃ/ and /ʒ/. 
 |-
 |7 ||/k/, /ɡ/ ||''k'', hard ''c'', ''q'', hard ''g, ch (as sounded in loch),''  ||Both upper case ''K'' and lower case ''k'' look like two small ''7''s on their sides. In some fonts, the lower-right part of the upper case ''G'' looks like a ''7''. ''G'' is also the 7th letter of the alphabet. The velar stops /k/ and /ɡ/ form a voiceless and voiced pair.
 |-
 |8 ||/f/, /v/ ||''f'', ''ph'' (in ''phone''), ''v ||Lower case script ''f'', which tends to have an upper and lower loop, looks like a ''f''igure-''8''. The labiodental fricatives /f/ and /v/ form a voiceless and voiced pair.
 |-
 |9 ||/p/, /b/ ||''p'', ''b''||Upper case ''P'' and lower case ''p'' look like the numeral ''9'' flipped horizontally. Lower case ''b'' looks like the numeral ''9'' turned 180°. The labial stops /p/ and /b/ form a voiceless and voiced pair.
 |-
 |Unassigned ||/h/, /j/, /w/, /x/, [[English phonology#Vowels|vowel sounds]] ||''h'', ''y'', ''w'', ''a'', ''e'', ''i'', ''o'', ''u'', [[silent letter]]s, ''ch'' (in ''chutzpah''), ''j'' (in ''Hallelujah'' and ''jalapeno''), ''ll'' (in ''tortilla'') ||[[Vowel]] sounds, [[semivowel]]s (/j/ and /w/) and /h/ do not correspond to any number. They can appear anywhere in a word without changing its number value.
 |-
 |(2, 27 or 7) ||/ŋ/ ||''ng'', ''n'' before ''k'', hard ''c'', ''q'', hard ''g'' or ''x''||Variant systems differ about whether /ŋ/ should encode ''2'' and classified together with /n/, ''7'' and classified together with /k/ and /ɡ/ or even ''27'' (e.g. ''ring'' could be ''42'', ''47'' or ''427''). When a /k/ and /ɡ/ is pronounced separately after the /ŋ/, variant systems that chose /ŋ/ to be ''27'' also disagree if an extra ''7'' should be written (e.g. ''finger'' could be ''8274'' or ''82774'', or if /ŋ/ is chosen to be ''7'', ''8774'').
 |}

The groups of similar sounds and the rules for applying the mappings are almost always fixed, but other hooks and mappings can be used as long as the person using the system can remember them and apply them consistently.

Each numeral maps to a set of similar sounds with similar mouth and tongue positions. The link is [[phonetic]], that is to say, it is the consonant sounds that matter, not the spelling. Therefore, a word like ''action'' would encode the number ''762'' (/k/-/ʃ/-/n/), not ''712'' (''k''-''t''-''n''). Double letters are disregarded when not pronounced separately, e.g. ''muddy'' encodes ''31'' (/m/-/d/), not ''311'', but ''midday'' encodes ''311'' (/m/-/d/-/d/) while ''accept'' encodes ''7091'' (/k/-/s/-/p/-/t/) since the ''d''s and ''c''s are pronounced separately. ''x'' encodes ''70'' when pronounced as /ks/ or /gz/ (e.g. in ''fax'' and ''exam'') and ''76'' when pronounced /kʃ/ or /gʒ/ (e.g. in ''anxious'' or ''luxury''); ''z'' encodes ''10'' when pronounced /ts/ (e.g. in ''pizza''). In ''ghost'' (''701'', /ɡ/-/s/-/t/) and ''enough'' (''28'', /n/-/f/), ''gh'' is being encoded by different numerals. Usually, a [[Rhoticity in English|rhotic accent]] is assumed, e.g. ''fear'' would encode ''84'' (/f/-/r/) rather than ''8'' (/f/).

Often the mapping is compact. ''Hindquarters'', for example, translates unambiguously to ''2174140'' (/n/-/d/-/k/-/r/-/t/-/r/-/z/), which amounts to a twelve-letter word encoded by seven digits in seven letters, and can be easily visualized.

Each numeral maps to a set of similar sounds with similar mouth and tongue positions.
For most people it would be easier to remember ''3.1415927'' (an approximation of the mathematical constant [[pi]]) as:
: ''meteor'' (''314'', /m/-/t/-/r/)
: ''tail'' (''15'', /t/-/l/)
: ''pink'' (''927'', /p/-/ŋ/-/k/, and taking /ŋ/ to be ''2'')

Short term visual memory of imagined scenes allows large numbers of digits to be memorized with ease. Longer-term memory may require the formulation of more object-related mnemonics with greater logical connection, perhaps forming grammatical sentences that apply to the matter rather than just strings of images.

The system can be employed with phone numbers. One would typically make up multiple words, preferably a sentence, or an ordered sequence of images featuring the owner of the number.

The Major System can be combined with a [[mnemonic peg system|peg system]] for remembering lists, and is sometimes used also as a method of generating the pegs. It can also be combined with other memory techniques such as rhyming, substitute words, or the [[method of loci]]. Repetition and concentration using the ordinary memory is still required.

It is possible to use a computer to automatically translate the number into a set of words. One can then pick the best of several alternatives. Such programs include "Numzi"<ref>[http://numzi.com Numzi mnemonic search engine (bi-directional)]</ref> "Rememberg"<ref>[http://www.rememberg.com Rememberg online mnemonic search engine]</ref> "Fonbee",<ref>[http://www.fonbee.com Fonbee Mnemonic Major System Encoder]</ref> the [[freeware]] "2Know",<ref>[http://www.got2know.net 2Know Mnemonic Software<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and the website "pinfruit".<ref>[http://pinfruit.com/ Web application for the mnemonic major system]</ref>

===Example words===
Some of these example words may belong to more than one word category.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ 1-digit pegs
! || 0 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 || 9
|-
! [[noun]]
| ''hose'' || ''hat'' || ''hen'' || ''home'' || ''arrow'' || ''whale'' || ''shoe'' || ''cow'' || ''hoof'' || ''pie''
|-
! [[verb]]
| ''sew'' || ''hate'' || ''know'' || ''aim'' || ''row'' || ''heal'' || ''chew'' || ''hook'' || ''view'' || ''buy''
|-
! [[adjective]]
| ''easy'' || ''hot'' || ''new'' || ''yummy'' || ''hairy'' || ''oily'' || ''itchy'' || ''gay'' || ''heavy'' || ''happy''
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ 2-digit pegs
! || 00 || 01 || 02 || 03 || 04 || 05 || 06 || 07 || 08 || 09
|-
! noun
| ''sauce'' || ''seed'' || ''sun'' || ''sumo'' || ''sierra'' || ''soil'' || ''sewage'' || ''sky'' || ''sofa'' || ''soap''
|-
! verb
| ''assess'' || ''swat'' || ''assign'' || ''assume'' || ''sorrow'' || ''sell'' || ''switch'' || ''soak'' || ''save'' || ''sob''
|-
! adjective
| ''sissy'' || ''sad'' || ''snowy'' || ''awesome'' || ''sorry'' || ''slow'' || ''swishy'' || ''sick'' || ''savvy'' || ''sappy''
|-
! || 10 || 11 || 12 || 13 || 14 || 15 || 16 || 17 || 18 || 19
|-
! noun
| ''daisy'' || ''tattoo'' || ''tuna'' || ''dome'' || ''diary'' || ''tail'' || ''dish'' || ''dog'' || ''dove'' || ''tuba''
|-
! verb
| ''tease'' || ''edit'' || ''widen'' || ''time'' || ''draw'' || ''tell'' || ''teach'' || ''take'' || ''defy'' || ''type''
|-
! adjective
| ''dizzy'' || ''tight'' || ''wooden'' || ''tame'' || ''dry'' || ''tall'' || ''whitish'' || ''thick'' || ''deaf'' || ''deep''
|-
! || 20 || 21 || 22 || 23 || 24 || 25 || 26 || 27 || 28 || 29
|-
! noun
| ''nose'' || ''net'' || ''onion'' || ''enemy'' || ''winery'' || ''nail'' || ''nacho'' || ''neck'' || ''knife'' || ''honeybee''
|-
! verb
| ''ionize'' || ''unite'' || ''nanny''{{ref|b|[b]}} || ''name'' || ''honour''{{ref|a|[a]}} || ''inhale'' || ''enjoy'' || ''knock'' || ''envy'' || ''nab''
|-
! adjective
| ''noisy'' || ''neat'' || ''neon'' || '' numb'' || ''narrow'' || ''annual'' || ''nudgy'' || ''naggy'' || ''naïve'' || ''wannabe''
|-
! || 30 || 31 || 32 || 33 || 34 || 35 || 36 || 37 || 38 || 39
|-
! noun
| ''mouse'' || ''meadow'' || ''moon'' || ''mummy'' || ''emery'' || ''mole'' || ''match'' || ''mug'' || ''movie'' || ''map''
|-
! verb
| ''amuse'' || ''meet'' || ''mine'' || ''mime'' || ''marry'' || ''mail'' || ''mash'' || ''mock'' || ''move'' || ''mop''
|-
! adjective
| ''messy'' || ''mute'' || ''mean'' || ''mum''{{ref|c|[c]}} || ''merry'' || ''male'' || ''mushy'' || ''mucky'' || ''mauve'' || ''wimpy''
|-
! || 40 || 41 || 42 || 43 || 44 || 45 || 46 || 47 || 48 || 49
|-
! noun
| ''rice'' || ''road'' || ''rain'' || ''rum'' || ''aurora'' || ''railway'' || ''roach'' || ''rag'' || ''roof'' || ''rope''
|-
! verb
| ''erase'' || ''read'' || ''ruin'' || ''ram'' || ''rear''{{ref|a|[a]}} || ''rule'' || ''reach'' || ''rake'' || ''arrive'' || ''wrap''
|-
! adjective
| ''rosy'' || ''ready'' || ''runny'' || ''haram'' || ''rare''{{ref|a|[a]}} || ''royal'' || ''rich'' || ''rocky'' || ''rough'' || ''ripe''
|-
! || 50 || 51 || 52 || 53 || 54 || 55 || 56 || 57 || 58 || 59
|-
! noun
| ''louse'' || ''lady'' || ''lion'' || ''lime'' || ''lorry'' || ''lily'' || ''leech'' || ''leg'' || ''lava'' || ''lip''
|-
! verb
| ''lose'' || ''let'' || ''align'' || ''loom'' || ''lure''{{ref|a|[a]}} || ''lull'' || ''latch'' || ''lick'' || ''love'' || ''help''
|-
! adjective
| ''lazy'' || ''elite'' || ''alien'' || ''lame'' || ''leery'' || ''loyal'' || ''lush'' || ''lucky'' || ''leafy'' || ''loopy''
|-
! || 60 || 61 || 62 || 63 || 64 || 65 || 66 || 67 || 68 || 69
|-
! noun
| ''cheese'' || ''cheetah'' || ''chin'' || ''gem'' || ''shrew'' || ''chilli'' || ''cha-cha'' || ''chick'' || ''chef'' || ''jeep''
|-
! verb
| ''chase'' || ''cheat'' || ''chain'' || ''jam'' || ''jury'' || ''chill'' || ''judge'' || ''check'' || ''achieve'' || ''chop''
|-
! adjective
| ''choosy'' || ''chatty'' || ''shiny'' || ''sham'' || ''cherry'' || ''jolly'' || ''Jewish'' || ''shaky'' || ''chief'' || ''cheap''
|-
! || 70 || 71 || 72 || 73 || 74 || 75 || 76 || 77 || 78 || 79
|-
! noun
| ''goose'' || ''cat'' || ''coin'' || ''game'' || ''crow'' || ''clay'' || ''cage'' || ''cake'' || ''cave'' || ''cube''
|-
! verb
| ''kiss'' || ''quote'' || ''weaken'' || ''comb'' || ''carry'' || ''kill'' || ''coach'' || ''cook'' || ''give'' || ''copy''
|-
! adjective
| ''cosy'' || ''good'' || ''keen'' || ''gummy'' || ''grey'' || ''cool'' || ''catchy'' || ''quick'' || ''goofy'' || ''agape''{{ref|d|[d]}}
|-
! || 80 || 81 || 82 || 83 || 84 || 85 || 86 || 87 || 88 || 89
|-
! noun
| ''vase'' || ''video'' || ''fan'' || ''ovum'' || ''fairy'' || ''fool'' || ''veggie'' || ''fig'' || ''fife ''{{ref|e|[e]}}|| ''vibe''
|-
! verb
| ''fuse'' || ''fight'' || ''fine'' || ''fume'' || ''fry'' || ''fly'' || ''fetch'' || ''fake'' || ''viva ''{{ref|f|[f]}}|| ''fob''{{ref|g|[g]}}
|-
! adjective
| ''fussy'' || ''fat'' || ''funny'' || ''foamy'' || ''furry'' || ''foul'' || ''fishy'' || ''foggy'' || ''fave'' || ''fab''
|-
! || 90 || 91 || 92 || 93 || 94 || 95 || 96 || 97 || 98 || 99
|-
! noun
| ''boss'' || ''bead'' || ''pony'' || ''puma'' || ''berry'' || ''bell'' || ''pouch'' || ''bike'' || ''beef'' || ''pipe''
|-
! verb
| ''oppose'' || ''bite'' || ''ban'' || ''bomb'' || ''bury'' || ''peel'' || ''patch'' || ''poke'' || ''pave'' || ''pop''
|-
! adjective
| ''busy'' || ''bad'' || ''bony'' || ''balmy'' || ''pro'' || ''blue'' || ''bushy'' || ''back'' || ''puffy'' || ''baby''
|}

{{refbegin}}
* {{note|a|a}} Assumes a [[Rhoticity in English|rhotic accent]]
* {{note|b|b}} ''nanny'' (verb): to be overprotective towards<ref>{{cite web|title=Nanny |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nanny?s=ts |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref>
* {{note|c|c}} ''mum'' (adjective): silent; not saying a word<ref>{{cite web|title=Mum |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mum?s=t |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref>
* {{note|d|d}} ''agape'' (adjective): with the mouth wide open, as in wonder, surprise, or eagerness<ref>{{cite web |title=Agape |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/agape?s=t |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref>
* {{note|e|e}} ''fife'' (noun): a high-pitched transverse flute used commonly in military and marching musical groups<ref>{{cite web |title=Fife |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fife?s=t |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref>
* {{note|f|f}} ''viva'' (verb): to examine orally<ref>{{cite web |title=Viva |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/viva?s=t |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref>
* {{note|g|g}} ''fob'' (verb), archaic: to cheat; deceive<ref>{{cite web |title=Fob |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fob?s=t |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref>
{{refend}}