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Example: In elementary math, students learn to remember the prioritization sequence:

Paranthesis, exponents, multiplication, divison, addition, subtraction.

To remember this, all first letters are gathered in an acronym: PEMDAS

The term acronym just means any pronounceable abbreviation, such as NASA or .COM, and is not necessarily about abbreviations made for the purpose of remembering a sequence.

Does a term for "an acronym created in order to remember a sequence" exist in English?

It does exist in my native language, which is why I am looking for an equivalent term in English. In Danish we have the word huskeord, literally translating to remember-word or reminder-word. This term is used for instance in military contexts, where you must remember orders of action or sequences accurately and quickly.

Does huskeord have an English translation? I do not know what to search for in dictionaries and have been unable to find anything on the internet, thus I am asking here on this forum.

2 Answers 2

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There is the word mnemonic about which Lexico says

mnemonic
NOUN

A system such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations which assists in remembering something.
the usual mnemonic for star types is O Be A Fine Girl Kiss Me

It is pronounced with a silent initial m. It can be an acronym, such as

BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division or Multiplication, Addition or Subtraction)

which is similar to the one in the question. Another, to remember the 10 organ systems of the human body is

NICER DRUMS (Nervous, Integumentary, Circulatory, Endocrine, Respiratory, Digestive, Reproductive, Urinary, Muscular, Skeletal)

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  • A Mnemonic is also a great way to remember a moderately complex password - creating a sentence where the initials represent the characters/digits (or a reminder of the character/digit - 'A' could be a 4 for instance) "I Won't let Anyone See My Password ! = 1WL45mp!
    – Smock
    Aug 8, 2019 at 8:29
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The term mnemonic is the best fit to describe a remember-word, but in English it can also commonly refer to a song or rhyme.

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