It also means that their letters can be used as an alternative method of "numbering" ordered items, in such contexts as numbered lists and number placements.
ɪɾ ˈɔːlsoʊ mˈiːnz ðæt ðɛɹ lˈɛɾɚz kæn biː jˈuːzd æz ɐn ɔːltˈɜːnətˌɪv mˈɛθəd ʌv "nˈʌmbɚɹɪŋ" ˈɔːɹdɚd ˈaɪɾəmz, ɪn sˈʌtʃ kˈɑːntɛksts æz nˈʌmbɚd lˈɪsts ænd nˈʌmbɚ plˈeɪsmənts.