Please don't bash me for this question.

It will be easier for me to remember a given command if I could associate a word or praise with it.

For instance:

• chmod is "change mode"
• wc is "word count"
• cd is "change directory"
• su is "substitute user"

The man page doesn't typically provide this specific phrase, but often hints at it. I could make a phrase up and I think I am correct with all of the above except maybe wc, but I would rather use the "official" phrase if such a thing exists.

Is there a way to get this phrase through the command line? If not, has anyone seen such a list published?

Thanks

Have you tried the 'apropos' command? e.g. apropos count
You can also pipe output to 'grep' e.g. apropos count | grep word

If you know the action of the command well enough, then the nomenclature will become intuitive, eg "wc".

Some pronounce /etc as "ETC" where I use "ETSee"

All good knowledge comes from experience, and I suspect you just need more of it.

wrt:
or SuperUser

1 members found this post helpful.

Agree!

When writing my original post, I original put down "super user", but then looked at the man page, and changed it as it doesn't necessarily apply to only a super user. That being said, I "think" super user.

Its indeed Substitute User not super user.

The best way is to just keep doing it.

When I first started I got "Linux in a Nutshell". It was a book that just made things easier for me. It was kind of like a dictionary of commands. I could refer to it easily, and I did so often. There are others that are equally as good, I'm sure, but that was like my Linux bible.

Wow! I actually got something right

When i forget or want to know for any new command, i use, for example,

1 members found this post helpful.

I don't use word association for commands. The only way to remember is to keep on using the commands on a frequent basis.

I also have a text file of many of my favorite commands with their switches i.e flags for easy reference in case I forget.

You can also reference past commands via the history command.

When you are unsure try:
For example:

1 members found this post helpful.

ROFL!!! This came as surprise... never knew that command existed... wtf!! Its not available in Redhat, but enjoying in Arch. Man i love linux... Microsoft is not this humorous. Thanks.

Hi. I like cheat sheets as will: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...2/#post5141691 plus check out Anka,,, best wishes and have fun.

I like wtf as well! Unfortunately, it isn't available, and I can't even yum it in with my existing repositories. Oh well, still like it.

jamison20000e, like the one link to "what every linux user should know". I will read it, and will likely ask afterwards more about "what every linux user should know".

Most cmd names are acronyms or abbreviations or alternate words, but you may need to read the start of the relevant man page if you can't guess it.
Switches are tougher because the 'obvious' word to describe what a switch does may already be taken by another switch.

I went one step further in my effort to remember commands and how to use them.

For those seldom used (and not well remembered), I created a Linux folder in my Documents folder. Then I created subfolders for Awk, Bash, etc. As I browsed the web and found examples, tutorials, user guides, etc., I saved the html pages in the appropriate subfolder.

Now, when I need to use one of those commands that I don't remember well, I look first in those folders. If I don't find what I need, then I browse the internet, and add my findings to my collection.