What is a limerick?

What is a limerick?
Getty Images

It is believed that limericks date back to the 14th century, and originated in the Irish town of Limerick. The limerick is a humorous five-line poem with two rhymes: one shared by the first, second and fifth lines, and the other shared by the shorter third and fourth lines. Limericks were popularised in the 19th century by the British humourist Edward Lear, although limerick examples are found in the works of authors as diverse as William Shakespeare and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. These funny limericks use their bouncy rhyme scheme to explore concepts like math, science, and philosophy. The twisty, punny verses will get you thinking – and giggling!

Advertisement

Gasman named dieter

Gasman named dieter
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

A forgetful old gasman named Dieter, / Who went poking around his gas heater, / Touched a leak with his light; / He blew out of sight— / And, as everyone who knows anything about poetry can tell you, he also ruined the meter.

Chuckle over the 18 funniest things people have ever said – while they were sleeping.

A young Cretan

A young Cretan
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

There was a young fellow of Crete / Who was so exceedingly neat / When he got out of bed / He stood on his head / To make sure of not soiling his feet.

Here are 13 funny palindrome sentences that will crack you up.

Runner named Dwight

Runner named Dwight
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

There once was a runner named Dwight / Who could speed even faster than light. / He set out one day / In a relative way / And returned on the previous night.

A relative way, get it? This is the sort of funny limerick Einstein might come up with!

Only 2 percent of people can solve Einstein’s riddle – can you?

We’re off to see the wizard…

We’re off to see the wizard…
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

The incredible Wizard of Oz / Retired from his business because / Due to up-to-date science / To most of his clients / He wasn’t the Wizard he was.

These 21 movies have hilarious titles in other countries.

An amoeba named Max

An amoeba named Max
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

An amoeba named Max and his brother / Were sharing a drink with each other; / In the midst of their quaffing, / They split themselves laughing, / And each of them now is a mother.

These 24 lockdown quotes are actually pretty funny.

Mind the gap

Mind the gap
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

There was a young fellow from Belfast / That I wanted so badly to tell fast / Not to climb up the stair / As the top step was air / And that’s why the young fellow fell fast.

Here are 11 thesaurus jokes grammar nerds will appreciate.

Old girl of Genoa

Old girl of Genoa
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

There was an old girl of Genoa / And I blush when I think that Iowa; / She’s gone to her rest, / It’s all for the best, / Otherwise, I would borrow Samoa.

These 12 logic puzzles will test your smarts.

Ornithology 101

Ornithology 101
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

A wonderful bird is the pelican / His bill holds more than his belican / He can take in his beak / Enough food for a week / But I’m damned if I see how the helican.

Discover 15 funny animal memes you can’t help but laugh at.

Lady named Ferris

Lady named Ferris
GETTY IMAGES, RD.COM

There once was a lady named Ferris / Whom nothing could ever embarrass. / ‘Til the bath salts one day, / in the tub where she lay, / turned out to be Plaster of Paris.

If you laugh at these dark jokes, you’re probably a genius.

Never miss a deal again - sign up now!

Connect with us: