Clerihews meaning

Clerihews definitions

Clerihews are whimsical, humorous four-line biographical poems that are often satirical in nature. They were first created by the British author Edmund Clerihew Bentley in the early 20th century. The structure of a clerihew is a quatrain with the rhyme scheme AABB, and they typically consist of two rhyming couplets.

Origin of Clerihews

Edmund Clerihew Bentley invented the form of clerihew as a teenager in the late 19th century. The first one he wrote was about Sir Humphry Davy, a British chemist and inventor. Bentley's friend, the British writer G. K. Chesterton, also started writing clerihews and helped popularize the form. Clerihews have since become a popular style of humorous poetry.

Structure of Clerihews

Clerihews are known for their simple and often absurd humor. They typically poke fun at well-known figures from various fields, such as politics, literature, and science. The first line of a clerihew usually consists of the subject's name, the next line contains an end rhyme, and the following two lines provide additional information or commentary in a light-hearted manner.

Examples of Clerihews

Here are a few examples of clerihews:

• Charles Darwin
• Abhorred wearin'
• Anything but his old gray hat
• Charlotte Brontë
• Was devoted to literary form
• In fact, she adored it, being warm

Overall, clerihews offer a light-hearted and entertaining way to learn about and poke fun at famous individuals. They continue to be a fun and creative form of poetry that is enjoyed by many to this day.

Clerihews Examples

1. John's favorite form of poetry is clerihews.
2. She enjoys writing quirky clerihews about historical figures.
3. The students were asked to create their own clerihews for English class.
4. He was known for his witty clerihews that always made people laugh.
5. The poet spent hours crafting the perfect clerihew for his next publication.
6. Clerihews are a fun way to explore rhyming and creativity in writing.
7. The book contained a collection of humorous clerihews about famous authors.
8. The comedian recited a clever clerihew about a famous politician.
9. She decided to challenge herself by writing a clerihew every day for a month.
10. The website featured a section dedicated to showcasing user-submitted clerihews.

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