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National Limerick Day arrives every May 12, paying tribute to Edward Lear, the English poet who popularized these short, humorous verses. Dive into the history of these five-line poems, master their unique rhyming scheme, and share your own clever creations. Challenge friends to a limerick contest or explore Lear’s delightful nonsense today!
Want to sponsor National Limerick Day? Learn how
Expected National Limerick Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Limerick Day often inspires creative deals from brands. Look for discounts on poetry collections and writing guides from retailers like Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Stationery brands such as Moleskine might offer specials on notebooks, while online writing platforms like Scribophile could feature membership deals. Independent bookstores often host open mic nights or poetry slams. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 12 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Limerick Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalLimerickDay. Film yourself reciting a funny limerick or challenge others to write one on the spot.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalLimerickDay. Share visually appealing text graphics of your favorite limericks or illustrate a scene from one.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalLimerickDay. Post short, witty limericks or engage in a thread where users complete each other’s verses.
National Limerick Day Hero
Edward Lear
National Limerick Day timeline
Many suggest that the name is derived from the chorus of an Irish soldiers’ song, “Will You Come Up to Limerick?”
The first collections of limericks date back to this time.
Poets and writers begin indulging in composing limericks.
Limerick contests rise in popularity, often hosted by business houses and magazines.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Limerick Day
Local businesses can celebrate National Limerick Day by hosting creative writing workshops or open mic nights for customers to share their verses. Bookstores and coffee shops could offer discounts to patrons who recite an original limerick at the counter. Even non-literary businesses can get involved by crafting humorous, five-line poems about their products or services and sharing them on social media. Encourage staff to participate, fostering a fun and engaging atmosphere.
National Limerick Day FAQs
When is National Limerick Day?
In 2027, National Limerick Day will be observed on Wednesday, May 12. This annual celebration consistently lands on the same date each year.
What are the rules of a limerick?
The classic structure of a limerick involves five lines. The first two lines, along with the fifth, share one rhyme and meter, while the third and fourth lines form a shorter rhyming couplet with a different meter. This playful form lends itself well to witty and often mischievous storytelling.
Who popularized the limerick?
While limericks emerged in England in the 18th century, it was Edward Lear’s extensive collection and unique style that brought them widespread recognition. His humorous and often nonsensical approach made the short poetic form accessible and beloved by many.
Where did the name 'limerick' come from?
Many scholars and enthusiasts attribute the name ‘limerick’ to the county and city of Limerick in Ireland. This theory posits that the name became associated with the poetic form through a popular parlor game, solidifying its connection to the region.
National Limerick Day Activities
Write your own limerick
The zanier, the better. Get together with a group of friends to see who can come up with the funniest, most nonsensical five-liner to pay homage to Edward Lear. When you come up with your best draft, make sure to share it with the world using #nationallimerickday. You could become a famous poet! Or, at the very least, get a retweet or two!
Take a poetry class
Try your hand at the limerick five lines, and then expand to other types of poetry. A sonnet is a rhyming poem with 14-lines, while a free verse poem doesn’t have any rules and lets the writer play around with lines, rhyming, and even punctuation. Many libraries offer community writing classes, along with city recreation centers. Check one out and get creative!
Take a trip to Limerick, Ireland
Only the most bold of limerick lovers will take this option. Book a flight to the poem’s country namesake, and spend some time in the land of Limerick! Take a boat tour along the River Shannon and visit St. John’s Cathedral. Visit the People’s Park and then stop by the Hunt Museum, where you can see original works from Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci.
Why We Love National Limerick Day
They let us be creative
Limericks are short and easy to write. It’s a great way to put pen to paper and bust out a few poems! Think up kooky characters and situations, and put them together in a quick poem. Impress your friends by writing a couple and see which ones they like best!
They are of the people
Not everyone loves poetry. Some can be hard to understand, or a little too humorless and emotional. Limericks offer a fun way to still be poetic, without taking themselves too seriously. Not every poem has to be 100 lines long without any rhyming. Limericks live a little and make you laugh!
They remind us of our youth
Remember English class and learning about poetry? We can still hear our English teacher’s voice reciting these melodic lines: “Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck one, and down he run. Hickory dickory dock.”
Social Media Tips for National Limerick Day
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