The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AN EPICURE, DINING AT CREWE,
FOUND QUITE A LARGE MOUSE IN HIS STEW.
SAID THE WAITER, "DON'T SHOUT,
OR WAVE IT ABOUT,
OR THE REST WILL BE WANTING ONE TOO."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): METER: IAMBIC ; PLACE NAMES, EATING ; RHYME: AABBA ; RHYME: MASCULINE ; SURPRISE ENDING LIMERICK HUMOR

View just this record

AN IMPORTANT YOUNG MAN IN QUEBEC
HAD TO WELCOME THE DUCHESS OF TECK.
SO HE BOUGHT FOR A DOLLAR
A VERY HIGH COLLAR
TO SAVE HIMSELF WASHING HIS NECK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LIMERICK MONEY HUMOR ; METER: IAMBIC ; PLACE NAMES ; RHYME: AABBA ; RHYME: FEMININE, IMPERFECT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

THERE WAS A YOUNG FELLOW NAMED WIER,
WHO HADN'T AN ATOM OF FEAR.
HE INDULGED A DESIRE,
TO TOUCH A LIVE WIRE.
(MOST ANY LAST LINE WILL DO HERE.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FUNCTION AND GENRE ; HUMOR LIMERICK ; INDIRECTION ; METER: IAMBIC ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABBA ; STRUCTURE, PATTERN AND FORM ; SUBJECT SOUND RHYME: ; TONE AND POINT OF VIEW

View just this record

THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN FROM THE CITY,
WHO MET WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A KITTY.
HE GAVE IT A PAT
AND SAID, "NICE LITTLE CAT!"
THEY BURIED HIS CLOTHES OUT OF PITY.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): FUNCTION AND GENRE: LIMERICK ; HUMOR ; NUTSHELL NARRATIVE ANTICLIMAX QUINTAIN ; RHYME: AABBA, FEMININE ; SKUNK ; SOUND: DACTYLIC TETRAMETER ; SUBJECT: ACCIDENTS, ANIMALS ; UNDERSTATEMENT IRONY

View just this record

THERE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN NAMED BRIGHT,
WHOSE SPEED WAS MUCH FASTER THAN LIGHT.
SHE SET OUT ONE DAY,
IN A RELATIVE WAY,
AND RETURNED ON THE PREVIOUS NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Keyword(s): HUMOR, FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE ; INDIRECTION LIMERICK ; METER: ANAPESTIC TETRAMETER ; QUATRAIN CONTRADICTIONS ; RHYME: MASCULINE, AABBA ; RIDICULE NONSENSE

Date learned: 11-12-1968

View just this record

A CUSTOMER DINING ON STEW
TOOK A BITE AND BEGAN TO TURN BLUE,
SAID A WAITRESS, NEARBY
AS SHE SWIPED AT A FLY:
"HE BIT OFF MORE THAN HE COULD CHEW"

Submitter comment: WHILE A CUB SCOUT DEN MOTHER IN THE EARLY 1950,S, ONE OF HER SCOUTS
RECITED THIS PROJECT. TO THIS DAY SHE REMEMBERS IT IN HER HEART.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LIMERICK ; RHYME: AABBA

Date learned: 11-14-1971

View just this record

AN INNOCENT MAIDEN FROM BUTTE
THOUGHT A BIG CITY SLICKER WAS CUTE.
NOW SHE'S IN, YOU MIGHT GUSS,
A MATFRNITY DRESS AND HE'S IH A PATERNITY SUIT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FAMILY OWNS A BAR AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS
SHE REMEMBERED FROM A CUSTOMER.
INFORMANT'S DAMILY OWNS A BAR AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS
SHE REMEMBERED FROM A CUSTOMER.

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): LIMERICK ; RHYME: AABBA ; SEDUCTION ; TRIPLE RHYMES ; WORD PLAY

View just this record

LIMERICK

A SENIOR AT LUNCH AT PURDUE/DISCOVERED A MOUSE IN HIS STEW.
SAID THE WAITER, "DON'T SHOUT/AND DISPLAY IT ABOUT.
OR THE PROFS WILL BE WANTING ONE TOO."

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): 4 LINE STANZA HUMOR LIMERICK FOOD ; RHYME: AABBA

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR

View just this record

"I CAN'T MOVE"

I CAN'T MOVE, CRIED BILLY TO HIS BROTHER,
PERHAPS WE HAD BETTER CALL MOTHER.
SAID WILLY TO BILLY,
YOU'RE REALLY QUITE SILLY,
YOU'VE GOT YOUR SHOELACES TIED TO EACH OTHER.

Submitter comment: HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND IT STILL REMAINS
MY FAVORITE LIMERICK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Keyword(s): LIMERICKS

James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR

Date learned: 00-00-1974

View just this record

LIMERICK

THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL FROM MADRAS
WHO HAD A MAGNIFICENT ASS.
IT WASN'T PRETTY AND PINK
AS YOU PROBABLY THINK
BUT WAS BROWN, HAD LONG EARS AND ATE GRASS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN 7TH GRADE AT HELEN
KELLER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

James Callow Keyword(s): DONKEY ; PRETENDED OBSCENE LIMERICK

Date learned: 00-00-1965

View just this record