Definition
A humorous five-line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme and a bouncy, anapestic meter, typically featuring absurd or whimsical scenarios and characters. Limericks are known for their irreverent tone and are often bawdy or nonsensical.
Example Usage
He recited a limerick about a man from Peru to make the audience laugh.
Origin
Possibly derived from the city of Limerick, Ireland, though the connection is uncertain; the form became popular in 18th-century English poetry and was popularized by Edward Lear in the 19th century.
Fun Fact
The meter and rhyme scheme of a limerick often creates an expectation of a punchline, making it a favorite form for jokes and light verse.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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