Numeronyms are out of control. Seriously, these number-based words are taking over. They have been around for a very long time of course: 411 for information (telephone directory assistance) and 911 for help being among the best known in years gone by. Not any more.

Here is the 411 (pronounced four-one-one): 9/11 (nine-eleven) is now used exclusively to refer to the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. It is unfortunate that the terrorists chose September 11, a date which corresponds with an internationally known emergency services number, but perhaps that was deliberate.

Mary J Blige's 1992 debut album and title song, 'What's the 411?' added to the hype rather than answered any question. The 411 was also the name of a British R&B girl group, while 911 was the name of a UK boy band, both are now defunct. But that's just the beginning, 911 is the name of a song by Gorillaz & D12 featuring Terry Hall, as well as another song by Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige.

The international convenience store chain 7-11 (seven-eleven) has been around since the 1940s and back then the name referred to the stores' opening hours - 7am to 11pm - which were unprecedented in those days.

Cricket and darts players and fans would be familiar with the 111, which is sometimes called a Nelson after Admiral Nelson who reportedly had only one eye, one arm and one ball near the end of his life.

If you are travelling to or through the US today, you are reminded of the 311 (three-one-one) regulation: creams, gels and liquids (including toothpaste) being carried in your hand-luggage cannot be more than 3 ozs in size. In addition, they must be placed in a transparent plastic bag and held in your hand so that security officers can see them. Non-compliance is unheard of. A huge plastic sack stuffed with a collection of perfumes, colognes, bath gels, creams and lotions that sat at the security desk at Miami Airport last week, attested to this. There is also the one rule in force at certain international airports, which basically means that you can only carry a single bag past the security checkpoint. Travellers were observed merging laptop, handbag/pocketbook and pull-on into one, assisted by understanding security officers who even provided oversized shopping bags, then unpacking them again once they got into the departure lounge.

Anyone who still lists travelling as a hobby nowadays needs his/her head examined. Especially since 311 is also considered slang for KKK, which is the abbreviation for the Klu Klux Klan! And Wikipedia informs that 311 was formerly used by the LA Police Department as its code for armed robbery. It is also the name of a moderately successful rock band.

Somehow, these numbers still don't add up.