National Limerick Day (May 12)
National Limerick Day, celebrated on May 12th, honors the clever and often silly five-line poems that have entertained readers for generations.
Named after the birthplace of Edward Lear, the poet who popularized them, this day is all about having fun with language.
Whether you’re reading classic verses or creating your own, limericks are a quirky way to celebrate creativity and humor. One of the weird holidays in May that’s worth a rhyme or two.
When is the Holiday?
National Limerick Day takes place every year on May 12th—Edward Lear’s birthday.
Who Invented It?
The holiday wasn’t started by a particular person or group.
It evolved from Lear’s fans and poetry lovers who wanted a day to celebrate his fun and nonsensical verse style.
The History of the Holiday
Though limericks likely predate Lear, his 1846 “Book of Nonsense” brought the form to popular attention.
Lear’s playful take on language, paired with charming illustrations, helped establish the limerick as a beloved poetic form.
Over time, fans began observing May 12 as a tribute to his work, eventually turning it into the holiday we know today.
Top 5 Facts About the Holiday
- Edward Lear wrote over 100 limericks in his first book alone.
- The limerick’s name may come from Limerick, Ireland, though the link is debated.
- Limericks use an AABBA rhyme scheme with a distinct rhythmic meter.
- They were often seen in 19th-century newspapers as light entertainment.
- Anyone can write one—the format is simple, making it a great creative outlet.
Activities to Celebrate
Create a limerick wall—either on a bulletin board or digitally—where people can post their favorite limericks or ones they’ve written themselves.
Challenge yourself (or your kids or students) to write a five-line poem using the AABBA rhyme scheme. Use a prompt like “There once was a cat from Peru…” to get started.
At home, in a classroom, or online, hold a friendly limerick competition. Offer small prizes for the funniest, most nonsensical, or cleverest entries.
Invite friends or students to share their limericks out loud. Add silly props or costumes for a playful twist that brings the verses to life.
Print or staple together pages to form a booklet where kids can write and illustrate their own limericks. Great for a classroom project or at-home keepsake.
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Links to Resources
- L is for Limerick Worksheet – A kid-friendly printable that combines early literacy skills with a poetry prompt. Perfect for Pre-K and K levels.
- Edward Lear’s “A Book of Nonsense” – A must-have for anyone wanting to explore the roots of modern limericks.
- Limerick Generator Tool – For older kids or adults, this online tool lets users plug in words and generate quick limericks for fun.
Related Holidays
If you enjoy the humor and creativity of this holiday, these other celebrations also embrace storytelling, wordplay, and literary fun:
- World Storytelling Day (March 20) – Celebrate the power of oral storytelling with tales that spark imagination, just like a well-crafted limerick.
- National Book Lovers Day (August 9) – A perfect day to cozy up with a poetry collection or dive into the works of Edward Lear.
- National Read a Book Day (September 6) – Share a favorite limerick aloud or introduce someone new to the joy of nonsense verse.
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