National Limerick Day is celebrated annually on May 12 to honour Edward Lear, who popularised the short compositions. Lear was an English poet renowned for his use of nonsensical language in his works, such as “Quangle-Wangles” and “runcible spoons.” The majority of his 212 limericks did not adhere to the style’s specific rhyming principles. Although the definition of a limerick is five lines, Lear’s were frequently presented in three or four lines to make room for his accompanying illustrations and drawings. (One of his favourites: ‘There was an Old Man of Peru who observed his wife make a stew; but once by accident, she baked in a cooker, that unfortunate Old Man of Peru.)
The background of National Limerick Day
The origin of the poem’s title is somewhat debatable, but the majority of people believe it derives from the Irish city of Limerick. Limericks are short, humorous compositions with just fine lines, the first two lines rhyming with the fifth line, and the third and fourth lines rhyming together. Although Lear popularised limericks, they originated in England in the 18th century. The majority of limericks begin by describing a person and location, followed by the actions of that individual. Limericks can be coarse or vulgar and are frequently inappropriate. Lear approved; he considered “clean” limericks to be at best mediocre. Recent limericks have focused on contemporary events and social issues.
Limericks are brief and simple to compose. It’s an excellent opportunity to set pen to paper and compose a few poems! Create bizarre characters and situations, then compose a short poem about them. Impress your peers by writing a few and finding out which one they prefer.Not all people enjoy lyricism. Some can be difficult to comprehend or excessively humourless and emotional. Limericks are a lighthearted method of remaining poetic without considering themselves too seriously. Not every poem must be one hundred lines long and rhymeless. Limericks have a little life and are humorous.Do you recall studying poetry in English class? “Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck twelve, and he ran away. Hickory dickory pier.”
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NATIONAL LIMERICK DAY ACTIVITIES
Create your own rhymes
More bizarre, the better. Gather with a group of friends and compete to come up with the silliest, most preposterous five-liner to honour Edward Lear. When you create your finest limerick, be sure to share it with the world using the hashtag #nationallimerickday. You might become a renowned poet! Or, at the very least, receive a couple of retweets!
Attend a poetry course.
Try your hand at the five-line limerick before expanding to other forms of poetry. A sonnet is a 14-line rhyming poem, whereas a free verse poem has no restrictions and allows the writer to experiment with lines, rhyming, and even punctuation. Many libraries and municipal recreation centres offer community writing classes. Check out one and be imaginative!
Travel to Limerick, Ireland.
Only the most courageous admirers of limericks will choose this option. Reserve a flight to the poem’s eponymous country and spend some time in Limerick! Visit St. John’s Cathedral and take a boat excursion along the River Shannon. Visit the People’s Park and then the Hunt Museum, where you can view Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci’s original works.
NATIONAL LIMERICK DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | May 12 | Friday |
2024 | May 12 | Sunday |
2025 | May 12 | Monday |
2026 | May 12 | Tuesday |
2027 | May 12 | Wednesday |