Taxonomy mnemonic

Technique for remembering Linnean groups

The hierarchy of scientific classification

Several mnemonics are used to memorize the scientific classification applied in taxonomy. 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) are sometimes added at the end of the sequence.

For example, Dear King Phillip Came Over For Good Spaghetti[1] has the first letter of each word corresponding in order to the first letter of the descending order of scientific classification.

Mnemonic  | Zoology term

|

Dear  | Domain
King  | Kingdom
Phillip  | Phylum
Came  | Class
Over  | Order
For  | Family
Good  | Genus
Spaghetti  | Species

## Zoology mnemonics

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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."[1]
* "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 play Croquet 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

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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

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* Biological classification

## References

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1. ^ a b Evans, Rod L. (2007). Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge: The Book of Mnemonic Devices. Penguin. ISBN 978-1-4406-2207-6.

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Science mnemonics

Physics|

* FBI
* Left-hand rule
* Right-hand rule
* OBAFGKM
* Planetary mnemonic
* SUVAT
* Thermodynamic square

Biology|

* CHON/CHNOPS
* ESCAPPM
* Four Fs
* Taxonomy mnemonic
* List of biochemistry mnemonics

Mathematics|

* FOIL
* Mnemonics in trigonometry
* PEMDAS
* Piphilology
* Xyzzy

Other|

* Clorpt
* SCORPAN
* List of chemistry mnemonics

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