Mnemonics (pronounced "ne-mon'-ics") help your memory. They use rhymes, rules, phrases, diagrams, or acronyms to turn information you need to remember — names, dates, facts, figures — into something easier and more fun to hold onto. Instead of memorizing a long list word for word, you memorize one catchy sentence or picture, and translate it back into the original information whenever you need it.
Example: Roy G. Biv
Roy G. Biv is a classic mnemonic device: each letter stands for a color of the rainbow, in order (R for Red, O for Orange, and so on). "Roy G. Biv" doesn't mean anything on its own, but that's exactly why it works — our brains are surprisingly good at holding onto short, silly, made-up phrases, even better than the "boring" list of colors it stands for.
In summary
- The information gets translated into a "meaningful" chunk, like a phrase or acronym.
- That chunk gets stored in your memory.
- When you need to recall the original information, you translate the chunk back.
Other names for a mnemonic device
You'll also hear mnemonic devices called a memory tool, memorization aid, memory device, learning trick, or brain tool — different names for the same idea: a simple way to make your memory work better for you.
There's even a mnemonic device for spelling the word "mnemonic" itself.
Fun fact
Don't mix up a mnemonic device with a pneumonic device — that one's medical equipment used to help with breathing problems. Same sound, very different job!
Where does the word come from?
"Mnemonic" comes from the Ancient Greek word mnēmonikos, meaning "of memory." It's related to Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory in Greek mythology.
The ancient Greeks and Romans already used memory tricks like this — they called it the "Art of Memory." They even distinguished two kinds of memory: the one you're born with, and the "trained" one you build up by practicing techniques like the ones on this site.