Limericks are short, funny poems with a bouncy rhythm! They have five lines and a special rhyming pattern that makes them easy to remember and fun to say. The rhyme pattern is AABBA, which means the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyme. Limericks often have a silly or nonsensical twist, especially in the last line, which is called the punchline!

The origin of limericks is somewhat mysterious, with some evidence of the form appearing in England in the early 18th century. The name "limerick" is believed by some to possibly be connected to the city or county of Limerick in Ireland.

However, it was Edward Lear (1812-1888), an English artist and writer, who truly popularized the limerick form. In 1846, he published "A Book of Nonsense," a collection of humorous poems, many of which were limericks. Lear's limericks were often accompanied by his own whimsical illustrations. His works played a significant role in establishing the limerick as a beloved form of humorous verse. While Lear didn't invent the limerick, his contributions cemented its place in popular culture.