1. LIMERICKS THE WORD DERIVES FROM THE IRISH TOWN OF LIMERICK. APPARENTLY A PUB SONG OR TAVERN CHORUS BASED ON THE REFRAIN "WILL YOU COME UP TO LIMERICK?" WHERE, OF COURSE, SUCH BAWDY SONGS OR 'LIMERICKS' WERE SUNG.

2. WHAT ARE LIMERICKS? Short, typically- witty poems Rhyme scheme A: 7-11 syllables B: 5-7 syllables A: 7-11 syllables There once was a man from Peru, Who dreamed of eating his shoe, He awoke with a fright, In the middle of the night, And found that his dream had come true!

3. LIMERICKS WERE ORIGINALLY “DIRTY” POEMS The limerick packs laughs anatomical In space that is quite economical But the good ones I’ve seen So seldom are clean And the clean ones so seldom are comical

4. LIMERICKS ARE FUN! People have been writing limericks for centuries. Anyone can write them! There was an old man who supposed, That the street door was partially closed; But some very large rats, Ate his coats and his hats, While that futile old gentleman dozed

5. TRY IT! Starter #1: “There once was a giant in _____________” Starter #2: “My teacher once _____________” Starter #3: Make up your own limerick using someone’s name in this class.