title: Dental, oral and facial limericks of yesterday and today.
abstract: The limerick is a popular form of light and poetic verse which was originally recited and sung in the local inns and taverns of Ireland and England. It may be anecdotal, nonsensical and/or ribald in nature. As a form of satire, it confronts society's "sacred cows" and/or foibles. During the mid-1800s, Edward Lear popularized this mode of expression in England. From there it spread throughout the entire world. By 1900, two branches of limerick writing were formed--the decent and the "smutty." In reviewing 7,000 traditional limericks, the authors have located about 50 significant dental, oral and/or facial limericks which are socially acceptable. In addition, we have produced 50 original poems of this nature. This article offers 33 traditional and new limerick "gems" for your reading pleasure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology and co-director, Indiana University Nicotine Dependence Program, Indiana University Schools of Dentistry and Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Arden G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Christen
authors.forename: Joan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Christen
mesh_terms: D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007598:Journalism, Dental / Q000266:history*; D011037:Poetry as Topic / Q000266:history*; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic / Q000266:history*