Dumb All Over Rules for Limericks

Dumb All Over Rules for Limericks

A limerick is a humorous, clever, rhyming poem consiting of 5 lines; no more, no less.
Limericks should have a sing-songy feel.
The best limericks contain elements of naughtiness.

Lines 1, 2 and 5

• The first, second and fifth lines must each contain no more than eleven syllables.
• The first, second and fifth lines must each contain no fewer than seven syllables.
• The first, second and fifth lines must each contain exactly three stressed syllables; no more, no less.
• Each stressed syllable within each of the first, second and fifth lines must be separated by exactly two non-stressed syllables; no more, no less.
• The last few syllables of the first line must rhyme with the last few of the second and fifth lines.
• The rhyming scheme of the first, second and fifth lines must include each line's final stressed syllable and all subsequent non-stressed syllables.

Lines 3 and 4

• The third and forth lines must each contain no more than eight syllables.
• The third and forth lines must each contain no fewer than four syllables.
• The third and forth lines must each contain exactly two stressed syllables; no more, no less.
• Each stressed syllable within each of the third and forth lines must be separated by exactly two non-stressed syllables; no more, no less.
• The last few syllables of the third line must rhyme with the last few of the forth line.
• The rhyming scheme of the third and forth lines must include each line's final stressed syllable and all subsequent non-stressed syllables.

Additionally

• For all lines, the final stressed syllable of each line may be followed by up to two unstressed syllables, but no more.
• Whether a syllable should be judged as stressed or not must be based on conventional, everyday conversation and constructs.

The Musical Meter of Limericks

If a limerick was scored like a piece of music, it would consist of eight measures with a 6/8 time signature and may include up to two pick-up beats preceding the first measure (borrowed from the final measure, naturally).

• The first, second and fifth lines each consist of two measures.
• The third and forth lines each consist of one measure.
• Lines two, three, four and five may include up to two pick-up beats borrowed from the end of the previous line.
• Within each of the first, second and fifth lines, beat one and beat four of the first measure and beat one of the second measure are the beats that contain the stressed syllables.
• Within each of the third and forth lines, beat one and beat four contain the stressed syllables.
• Within each of the first, second and fifth lines, beat four of the second measure should never contain a voiced syllable. It should always be treated as a rest.
• All syllables within each separate line must be linearly contiguous. Rests within individual lines are not permitted.
• The time signature must be strictly applied. Added beats beyond the 6/8 time signature are not allowed. Triplets should never be substituted for individual or pairs of beats and are frowned upon.

Thus:
Line 1- 6/8, 6/8
Line 2- 6/8, 6/8
Line 3- 6/8
Line 4- 6/8
Line 5- 6/8, 6/8

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