- Categories:
- Arts & Entertainment
- Tags:
- AppreciationHistoricalHobby
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every July 10
- Holiday emoji:
- ✍️
Clerihew Day celebrates the delightful and humorous four-line poetic form every July 10. This day honors the birth anniversary of its creator, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, inviting everyone to try their hand at crafting witty verses. Unleash your inner poet, share your creations, and enjoy the lighthearted spirit of this unique literary observance.
Want to sponsor Clerihew Day? Learn how
Expected Clerihew Day Deals
While Clerihew Day isn’t typically a major retail holiday, interest in creative writing and poetry supplies sees a modest bump. Look for promotions from online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble on poetry anthologies, writing journals, and creative writing guides. Independent bookstores may host special readings or offer discounts on literary works. Art supply stores such as Michaels and Hobby Lobby might feature sales on notebooks, pens, and other tools for aspiring poets. Digital platforms like Etsy could see independent creators offering personalized poetry commissions or unique literary-themed gifts. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 10 approaches, encouraging everyone to find their poetic voice.
Platform Guide for Clerihew Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #ClerihewDay. Share your favorite clerihews, or challenge followers to write one about a famous person.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #ClerihewDay. Create short, humorous videos reciting clerihews or showcasing your writing process.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #ClerihewDay. Host a rapid-fire clerihew writing contest with a fun prompt for quick engagement.
Clerihew Day Hero
Edmund Clerihew Bentley
History of Clerihew Day
Clerihew Day is celebrated to commemorate the birth and accomplishments of Edmund Clerihew Bentley, who is known to have invented this poetic form and made it famous through his collections of poetry. E.C. Bentley was primarily known for his novels, but it is his poetry that made him a historical figure in the world of literature.
Bentley was born in London and began his career as a journalist, moving on to poetry some years later. His first book was titled “Biography for Beginners” and introduced readers to the form of verse that became known as the clerihew. Interestingly, he was only 16 years old when he came up with the clerihew. He went on to publish two more collections of poems to solidify his position as the ultimate humorous poet of his time.
Even after his death, in 1956, his poems continued to be published, both in print form and as audio recordings. The clerihew became hugely popular in America in the 20th century as leading poets of the time tried their hand at writing similarly humorous poetry.
Today, the clerihew is celebrated across the country as a specific poetic form with its own conventions, namely four lines of verse, an AABB rhyme scheme, the name of the subject in the first line, and humorous content. Amateur poets, as well as seasoned ones, enjoy writing funny clerihews on this day as well as reading poems written by other poets.
Clerihew Day timeline
The originator of the clerihew, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, is born in London.
Clerihew’s book “Biography for Beginners” is published.
Ogden Nash becomes a popular clerihew poet.
Clerihew dies at 80 years of age.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Clerihew Day
Local businesses can embrace Clerihew Day by hosting open mic nights for humorous poetry, encouraging customers to share their own clerihews. Bookstores and coffee shops could run a ‘clerihew of the day’ contest, featuring customer submissions on a whiteboard. Creative writing workshops might offer special sessions focused on short-form poetry, inspiring new writers. Even restaurants could print a themed clerihew on their menus, adding a touch of literary fun to the dining experience.
Clerihew Day FAQs
When is Clerihew Day?
Clerihew Day 2026 falls on Friday, July 10, inviting everyone to celebrate the birth anniversary of Edmund Clerihew Bentley. It’s the perfect occasion to unwind at the end of the week with some lighthearted verse.
What is a clerihew?
A clerihew is a four-line poem with an AABB rhyme scheme, typically about a person named in the first line. It’s known for its humorous and often biographical nature, offering a witty snapshot of its subject. The form was invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley.
How popular is poetry writing?
Poetry writing remains a beloved hobby for many, with millions engaging in it globally. Online platforms and local workshops continue to foster a vibrant community of poets, from seasoned writers to those just starting their journey. The accessibility of forms like the clerihew makes it easy for anyone to participate.
What's the difference between a clerihew and a limerick?
While both are humorous poetic forms, a clerihew has four lines with an AABB rhyme scheme and usually focuses on a person. A limerick, by contrast, has five lines with an AABBA rhyme scheme and a distinct rhythm, often telling a short, narrative, and sometimes bawdy tale. Clerihews are generally more concise and character-focused.
How to Celebrate Clerihew Day
Attend a poetry reading
The tradition of poetry recitals is one of the oldest in human civilization. On National Clerihew Day, search for poetry recital events taking place in your area and try to attend at least one such event. Listening to poetry that is balanced and harmonious is a delightful experience.
Write some clerihews
If you really enjoy writing poems, then writing clerihews is a great way to start. These poems are short and require a single idea that you play around with. In no time, you can build up a collection of many clerihews that could be published as a book or uploaded online in the form of a blog.
Organize a contest
This can be a fun activity, especially with children since they are highly creative and write with great imagination. You can invite the children in your neighborhood over for a clerihew writing competition. Make sure to put many interesting objects around to inspire their creativity. You can even announce prizes for the funniest and wittiest poems. Parents can also be invited to cheer on their children and to socialize with each other.
5 Facts About Poems That Will Blow Your Mind
The world’s longest poem
The epic of “Mahabharata” is said to be the longest poem, with more than 1.8 million words.
The oldest written poem
The first known written poem was written more than 40 centuries ago.
The sonnet form
The sonnet was made popular by the famous playwright William Shakespeare.
Fear of poetry
Metrophobia is the fear of poetry.
Father of American poetry
Walt Whitman is regarded as the father of modern American poetry.
Why we love Clerihew Day
It exercises our creativity
A lot of people love to write poems but feel intimidated by the works of classical poets. In comparison, writing a clerihew can be a fun and joyful activity. After all, you only have to write four lines and you do not have to write about anything deep. You can simply select any fact or historical account of any person and make a poem out of it.
It relaxes the brain
Writing poems is a wonderful activity to keep brain cells active and healthy. Research shows that the process of writing a poem helps people to feel mentally free and express themselves without any inhibition. This can be a great way of releasing pent-up feelings about a topic that you cannot talk about with anyone else.
It helps us reflect on life
While clerihews are meant to be funny and humorous, thinking about and writing a poem is a reflective process and gives us a moment to think about our life and our history. It is a good way to see things from a different perspective and analyze our problems more clearly and accurately.
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