Perl lets us store up to 9 expressions in variables $1 through $9. Here are some examples of how this can be used to shorten code, following TIMTOWTDI.
# ==Replace "boys" with "boyz" and "girls" with "girlz"==
# Look for every instance of "boy" or "girl", followed by an "s".
s/(boy|girl)s/$1z/; # with a "z" substituted for the "s"
# the $1 is the first expression used, (boy|girl)
# Example of remembering two matches
# From: dogs/cats are invited/welcome To: dogs/cats are not welcome/invited
s/(dog|cat)s are (invited|welcome)/$1s are not $2/; # $1 = (dog|cat) and $2 = (invited|welcome)