MEMORY SYSTEM 6

SKIPNUM
Skipnum (Self-Coding Instant Phonetic Number Memory
grid!) is an entirely new memory system. It was developed by
my close friend and associate Heinz Norden, the well-known
writer, translator and polymath.
Skipnum differs from other major memory systems in that
it is based almost entirely on phonetics. The system is based
on two elements everyone knows:
1, The initial letter of the memory word is the same as the
initial letter of the number which is attached to that word. For
example the numbers from 60 to 69 all begin with an 's', and
therefore so do the memory words for the numbers from 60 to
69.
2. The vowel sound of the memory word is the same as the
vowel sound of the unit digit in the number for which we are
making the word. For example let us take the number 42. The
first letter in our memory word must be an 'f because 42
begins with an 'f'. The next sound in our memory word must
be '00' because the digit number in 42 is two, and its vowel
sound is '00'. That means we have 'foo' which we can easily
make into a word by adding either T or 'd' giving us 'fool' or
'food'.
Let us try another example. The number we wish to create a
memory word for is 91. The first letter is 'n'. The digit
number in 91 is 1, and its vowel sound is 'uh'. To complete our
memory word for 91 we simply have to complete 'nuh'. A 't'
or an 'n' completes this most satisfactorily giving us 'nut' or
'nun'.
There are a few exceptions to these two basic rules, but they
are logical and easily remembered.
1. Ten to nineteen. These numbers do not of course have the
same initial consonant. They are however collectively the 'tens'
or 'teens' and therefore we use the letter 't' for these numbers.
2. Twenty to twenty-nine. A full set of memory words
beginning with 'tw' is not available so 'tr' is used instead. W
can remember this fairly easily by recalling that children often
confuse 'tr' and 'tw'.
3. Fifty to fifty-nine. We cannot use 'f' as the initial lette
because we have already used it for forty. Instead we use 'h
because it stands for 'half', and fifty is halfway between 0 and
100.
4. Seventy to seventy-nine. In the same way that we could
not use 'f' for fifty because we had already used it for forty, w
cannot use V for seventy because we have already used it fo
sixty. This is overcome easily by using the second consonan
of seventy, i.e. 'v'.
5. Eighty to eighty-nine. There is no initial consonant her
so instead we use the first consonant in the word eighty, which
is 'g'.
6. Vowel sound for nine. We cannot use the 'i' sound for nine
because we have already used it for five. Instead we use one o
the most common remaining vowel sounds (which is contained
in the word vowel!) 'ow'.
7. 00-09. These are included in the Skipnum grid for
convenience, because these two-digit units occur frequently in
telephone numbers and elsewhere. We use the initial conso
nant 'b' because it is easy to remember when we think of 007
James Bond!
Before reading on, have a quick look at the memory grid in
this Chapter, trying to familiarise yourself with the ideas tha
have so far been explained. The grid is laid out simply and
dearly, and should not be hard to follow.
You have noticed from looking at the grid that a preferred
memory word is given in bold It is usually the simplest
possible word formed by the above two rules, and is preferably
one that can be used both as a verb and a noun. If possible it
should have more than one meaning, and should be able to
serve as a connector in making phrases from the memory words.
Vulgar, action and emotionally charged words are also prefer-
able because they are easier to remember.
Where they arise, silent initial letters such as 'g' 'k' 'w' and
'y' are ignored in the memory words.
Since more than one word can often be formed within the
boundaries of the rule, alternate words may be used. Some of
these are given in the Skipnum grid for you to choose from.
This possibility of alternate words is particularly useful in
situations where you might be trying to remember a long
number which contains the same two-digit sequence more
than once. You don't have to repeat the same word, but can
use another word representing the same number!
Another advantage of this memory system is that you don't
have to learn the memory words by heart since they are 'self
coding'. They will pop into your mind instantly as long as you
know the rules!
Up to this point in the Chapter you have been given a lot of
detailed information which at the moment you may have found
a little bit difficult to absorb completely. It is advisable now to
review quickly the entire Chapter, consolidating those areas
which have given you some trouble. To assist you in further
consolidation, I have randomly listed the numbers from 1-100
on the next two pages so that you can readily test yourself in
either remembering the words on the grid or 'self coding' your
own.
When you have completed the Skipnum grid to your satis-
faction take the plunge and try to remember 100 items. You
will find to your surprise that it is not really much more
difficult than remembering twenty! When you are confident
test yourself with your friends.