Basic Details
Word: Limerick
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning:
A limerick is a short, humorous poem consisting of five lines. It follows a specific rhyme scheme (AABBA) and a distinct rhythmic pattern, often with a witty or absurd twist in the final line.
Synonyms: Humorous poem, Comic verse, Light verse
Antonyms: Epic, Ode, Elegy, Serious poem
Idioms and Phrases (Contextual)
- Write a limerick: To compose a humorous five-line poem with a specific rhyme and rhythm.
- Limerick-style humor: Witty or funny expressions that mimic the tone of limerick poetry.
- Limerick challenge: A fun activity or contest to create clever limericks.
Usage Examples
Example 1: She wrote a limerick about her cat that made the whole class laugh.
Example 2: In English class, the teacher asked students to compose a limerick on nature.
Example 3: His limerick was so clever that it won first place in the poetry contest.
Fun Fact
The term "limerick" is believed to be derived from the Irish city of Limerick, where a similar style of humorous verse was popular in the 18th century. Edward Lear helped popularize the form in the 19th century through his "Book of Nonsense."
Famous Example
There once was a man from Peru,
Who dreamt he was eating his shoe.
He woke up with a fright,
In the middle of the night,
To find that his dream had come true.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is a limerick?
a) A type of dance
b) A five-line humorous poem
c) A serious drama
d) A historical novel
Answer: b) A five-line humorous poem
2. What is the typical rhyme scheme of a limerick?
a) ABAB
b) AABB
c) AABBA
d) ABCDE
Answer: c) AABBA
3. Who is famously known for writing limericks?
a) William Shakespeare
b) Emily Dickinson
c) Edward Lear
d) Robert Frost
Answer: c) Edward Lear
4. A limerick is usually meant to be:
a) Sad
b) Thought-provoking
c) Funny
d) Informative
Answer: c) Funny
5. Where did the name limerick likely originate from?
a) England
b) France
c) Ireland
d) Germany
Answer: c) Ireland
