LimericksLimericks

LimerickLimerick

A limerick is cleverly versed –A limerick is cleverly versed –

The second line rhymes with the first;The second line rhymes with the first;

The third one is short,The third one is short,

The fourth’s the same sort,The fourth’s the same sort,

And the last line is often the worst.And the last line is often the worst.

Maybe you know this really old Maybe you know this really old limerick?limerick?

Hickery, Dickery DockHickery, Dickery Dock

A mouse ran up the clockA mouse ran up the clock

The clock struck oneThe clock struck one

The mouse fell downThe mouse fell down

Hickery, Dickery Dock.Hickery, Dickery Dock.

Limericks are often funny:Limericks are often funny:

The school trip was a special occasionThe school trip was a special occasion

But we never reached our destinationBut we never reached our destination

Instead of the ZooInstead of the Zoo

I was locked in the looI was locked in the loo

On an M62 Service StationOn an M62 Service Station

Quite often they mention Quite often they mention places:places:

A bald headed man from DundeeA bald headed man from Dundee

Lost his wig, in a wind, in a tree;Lost his wig, in a wind, in a tree;

When he looked up and spied it,When he looked up and spied it,

A hen was inside it,A hen was inside it,

And it laid him an egg for his tea.And it laid him an egg for his tea.

And they often start “There And they often start “There was”:was”:

There was a small dog from DubaiThere was a small dog from Dubai

Who wanted to know how to fly,Who wanted to know how to fly,

He ran round his yard,He ran round his yard,

And barked very hard,And barked very hard,

And floated right up to the sky.And floated right up to the sky.

They’re quite easy to They’re quite easy to remember (this is from a girl’s remember (this is from a girl’s

magazine freebie in the magazine freebie in the 1980s):1980s):

My darling Ducky WuckyMy darling Ducky Wucky

Behind your ears is mucky.Behind your ears is mucky.

But never mindBut never mind

For love is blind,For love is blind,

My darling Ducky Wucky. My darling Ducky Wucky.

And they often And they often don’t make don’t make

sense!sense!

Rules for a Limerick:Rules for a Limerick:

5 lines long.5 lines long. Lines 1, 2 & 5 have 7-10 Lines 1, 2 & 5 have 7-10

syllables and rhyme with syllables and rhyme with each other.each other.

Lines 3 & 4 have 5-7 syllables Lines 3 & 4 have 5-7 syllables and rhyme with each other.and rhyme with each other.