Characteristics Of A Limerick Poem - Art - Poetry

The following characteristics define what is a Limerick poem:

A Limerick poem will always have 5 lines to it; no more, no less. And these are usually very short sentenced lines; nothing too elaborate; only a witty twist of words Off these 5 lines, lines # 1, 2 and 5 should always end in words that rhyme with each other Consequently, lines # 3 and 4 should always end in words that rhyme with one another. However, the ending words for lines 3 and 4 must have a different sound than the words than end lines # 1, 2 and 5. Usually most writers will reinforce the rhyming rule by asking you to follow the 'aabba' rule. To make it a little more engaging, simply go with the "DA DA DI DI DA" flow i.e. ending words for lines 3 & 4 rhyme with each other, and likewise the last words for the 3 other remaining lines should rhyme with each other as well. The essence of a Limerick poem is written in the last line i.e. Line # 5 contains the punch line (the most humorous or jokey) part of the whole poem.

The easiest way to remember the above mentioned rules are; there are 5 rules to the 5-lined Limerick poem; as simple as that.Famous Limerick Poems

While you will come across many limericks that are acclaimed, one of the more popular and well-known classic Limericks goes like:

There was a young rustic named Mallory,

who drew but a very small salary,

When he went to the show,

his purse made him go

to a seat in the uppermost gallery

Notice how the words end up rhyming in lines # 1, 2, 5 and lines # 3, 4. While the history of limericks remains a point of debate till this day, the above written Limerick is one of the most primitive uses of this form of poetry from a newspaper published in New Brunswick during 1880. Examples of Limericks - Limericks for Kids, and Funny LimerickExample (1)

There once was an old man from Peru

His poor llamas came down with the flu

In the valley he passed

All the people who gasped

At the beast that was uttering "moo"

Example (2)

There was an old man from Peru,

who dreamed he was eating his shoe

He awoke in the night

with a terrible fright

and found out that it was quite trueTypes of Limerick Poems

Limerick poetry is typically used for fun and entertaining events and comprise of the following kind of commonly crafted poems:

Dirty limerick Funny limerick Birthday limerick Retirement limerick Escorts limerick Street girl limerick

Definition of a Limerick?

A limerick can be defined as,

"A five-line poem written with one couplet and one triplet".

OR

"Often referred to as nonsense poetry, Limericks are types of poems that are meant to be amusing, humorous and comical in nature and tonality; though the comedy can at times be obscene & raunchy in nature as well".Figurative Devices Used in Limericks

Figurative devices such as hyperbole, onomatopoeia, idioms, puns, and the kike are used to write down limerick poems. The last line of a good limerick poem typically contains the "punch line" or "heart of the joke."

==funny story==