Book Of Nonsense Limerick 87.

By Edward Lear

Limerick
    There was an Old Person of Anerley,     Whose conduct was strange and unmannerly;     He rushed down the Strand,     With a Pig in each hand,     But returned in the evening to Anerley.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This limerick's playful absurdity hinges on its tight formal structure and rhythmic cadence, which contrast sharply with the poem’s nonsensical content. The strict AABBA rhyme scheme and anapestic meter create a musical, almost sing-song quality that mirrors the whimsical tone, while the brevity of the five-line form amplifies the humor through its abrupt, punchline-like conclusion. The voice is detached and impersonal, recounting the Old Person of Anerley as a caricature rather than a character, which enhances the poem’s comedic effect. The imagery of the man rushing through London with a pig in each hand is deliberately ludicrous, defying logic and heightening the absurdity. The final line’s return to Anerley serves as a volta, undercutting the poem’s initial momentum with an anticlimactic resolution. The poem’s genius lies in its ability to use conventional structure to amplify, rather than resolve, its inherent silliness.

Understanding Limerick

A limerick is a five-line poem known for its jaunty rhythm, playful tone, and a punchline twist. It’s built for humor—often sly, sometimes downright silly.

Common characteristics of limericks:

  • Five Lines & Rhyme: The standard scheme is AABBA—the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme; the shorter third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.
  • Bouncy Meter: Typically anapestic (two short, one long beat). Lines 1, 2, and 5 are longer; lines 3 and 4 are shorter.
  • Tone & Humor: Lighthearted, mischievous, and built around a final gag or reversal.
  • Subject & Setup: Often starts with “There once was a … from …,” setting place and character before the comic turn.
  • Sound Play: Internal rhyme, alliteration, and rhythmic snap heighten the joke’s delivery.

The best limericks land like a good toast: quick, musical, and clinched by a memorable last line.