Got a few hours to kill? If so, then head over to OEDILF: The Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form. The goal of the OEDLIF "is to write at least one limerick for each meaning of each and every word in the English language." Since the source of the words is the massive Oxford English Dictionary, the limerictionary isn't projected to be completed until 2039! What an undertaking! Although the project has contributors from all over the world, there aren't any from New Hampshire, but, there are at least two from nearby Massachusetts.
Here's a sample definition from the OEDILF:
arrythmiaIf you'd like to get involved, click here.
by mephistopheles
An arrhythmia's ever so neat,
Being quite the auricular treat.
It's an improvisation--
A cool syncopation--
So exciting, your heart skips a beat!
I'm only challenging myself with no intentions of submitting. I picked a word from the OEDILF word list and gave my limerick muscles a workout.
chartaThe first Poetry Friday Round-Up of 2012 is being hosted by Teaching Authors, stop by.
A charta, also known as a patch,
is paper to which drugs are attached.
Then attached to you
And kept out of view
Your ailment is simply dispatched.
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Photo of James Murray, first editor of the OED, courtesy Amazon.com.
Congratulations, Diane! I have the opportunity to bestow you with an award, offered sincerely...The Versatile Blogger Award! Come to my juicy little universe to see what it's about.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heidi!
ReplyDeleteYour limerick is so good, and I learned a new word! They aren't easy to craft, to find just the right words that make the meaning. Perhaps it would be fun to help students learn new vocabulary by creating limericks. And, the site is a pleasure to browse; what an undertaking! Thanks for telling about it.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is so funny... and now I guess I know what I am doing with the rest of my morning -- exploring the OEDILF.
ReplyDeleteYour post is a positive blast,
ReplyDeletechurning words from the present and past.
Thank you so much for sharing
this lexi-fanfaring –
creative potential is vast!
Awesome, Robyn!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! As Linda said, it's all the better because we're learning new words, too...like charta! Thanks, Diane!
ReplyDeleteLimerictionary -- how great is that?
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Goodness. The human imagination and our capacity for creativity amazes me once again!
ReplyDelete(word verification: manic. yup.)
I'm glad this site is new to so many people. I came across a scrap of paper on which I had written the site address. I have no idea how old the paper was, or where I originally found the address! Such a fun surprise!
ReplyDeleteWonderful limerick, Diane, and Robyn, too! I can write rhyming poetry, but for some reason when it comes to limericks, I just can't make them work! I gave up on them a while ago...lol.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, that is one huge project!
Gisele :)
I joined this group of poetic scholars in APR 2013 and wonder why I have been kept from writing limericks all this time. 126 so far and getting better at it (I hope) warning: it is very addictive. All limeriicks are work-shopped for suggestions and grammatical correcting. Come join us. I am proud to say I am now an OEDILF senior lyricist.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Wes! I'm currently addicted to haiku, tanka, and other short forms. I especially enjoy combining them with images. I appreciate your invitation to join you, but, I don't need to add one more addictive substance to my diet!
Delete