It's fair to point out that classes that aren't widely taken are called by name because the numbers are less useful, and perhaps I should rephrase a bit: how ab

It's fair to point out that classes that aren't widely taken are called by name because the numbers are less useful, and perhaps I should rephrase a bit: how about "such a distinction among well-known classes is usually a sign of respect". When you say "French 2" rather than "21F.302", you're using a descriptive rather than nominative name for the class because of lack of familiarity. Saying "eight thirteen(?)" or "eight one three" is just weird. But somehow calling orgo "five twelve" doesn't seem weird? That's the whole point: most classes are known by their numbers, and the ones that are given a non-numeric nominative label are generally feared. Anyhow, this isn't just something I made up, it's something that freshmen are widely made aware of: "classes that are known by their names are usually harder." Just like "extra letters good, extra numbers bad,"[1] it's a rule of thumb rather than a law of nature. [1] This refers to choices in freshman classes; sometimes there are alternative versions of the course offered under a slightly different title, e.g., 8.02, 8.02T, 8.022. The course with the extra letter is "good" (generally easier), whereas the course with the extra number is "bad" (harder). Nowadays I think 8.02 is identically 8.02T, though.