The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MNEMONIC DEVICE

AN EASY WAY TO REMEMBER HOW MANY DAYS ARE IN EACH MONTH IS TO
COUNT ON ONE'S KNUCKLES. MONTHS WITH THIRTY ONE DAYS LIE ON THE
TOP OF THE KNUCKLE. MONTHS WITH THIRTY DAYS (29 FOR FEB.) WILL FALL
BETWEEN KNUCKLES. FOR EXAMPLE, JAN. IS ON TOP (HAS 31 DAYS) AND
FEB. IS IN BETWEEN (HAS 29 DAYS) ETC.

Submitter comment: ALTHOUGH THIS TECHNICALLY IS NOT A MNEMONIC DEVICE SINCE NO
SPEAKING IS INVOLVED, IT IS A SIMPLE TASK USED TO HELP ONE REMEMBER.
WHEN THE COLLECTOR TRIED IT, IT WORKED WITHOUT FLAW IF YOU START
AT THE FIRST KNUCKLE WHEN PROCEEDING FROM JULY TO AUGUST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings:

BELIEF -- Measure of time Month
BELIEF -- Number
BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-00-1980