Limericks originated in the 1700s in Limerick, Ireland, though the first one is unknown. They are meant to be funny and clever, following an AABBA rhyme scheme in 5 lines. Examples are given that demonstrate humor through comparisons and exaggerated situations.

2. Limericks! The Write Stuff

3. NTK: What is a LIMERICK? Poem named for Limerick, Ireland Originated in the 1700s, but exactly who wrote one first and when they wrote it is a mystery. Meant to be FUNNY and CLEVER. 5 Lines with the rhyme scheme AABBA Nursery rhymes are often limericks

6. What kind of figurative language is being used? What is the limerick being compared to? The limerick is furtive and mean You must keep her in close quarantine Or she sneaks to the slums And promptly becomes Disorderly, drunk and obscene.

7. 'Tis a favourite project of mine, A new value of pi to assign. I would fix it at 3, For it's simpler, you see, Than 3 point 1 4 1 5 9

8. The was an old man of the isles Who suffered severely from pisles He couldn’t sit down Without a deep frown So he had to row standing for miles

9. A macho young swimmer named Dwyer, Really liked playing with fire. One night in the dark He swam with a shark, And his voice is now two octaves higher.