Any time I require the services of a taxi, I can easily recall the telephone number of the Daiwa Taxi Co., 3563-5151, because it transliterates phonetically into "Sa, Goro-san, koi-koi" (Well, come and pick me up Goro-san).

"Goro" of course is a common man's name -- even if it's probably not the taxi driver's.

I only recently learned the proper Japanese term for this contrivance, which has captivated me for many years. The word is "goro-awase." It bears no relation to Goro the taxi driver, but means a device, such as a formula or rhyme, to aid in memorization.