Wordle Gimmicks: Having Fun with a Book to Laugh & Learn From

_{Photo by cottonbro studio}

Ever since Wordle was released, it’s spawned a lot of Wordle gimmicks, and none as fun and as creative as Marshall S. Flam’s Wordle Limericks. This hilarious and witty collection of poetry hinges on combining Wordle and the acrostic poem.

This just goes to show that Wordle has evolved beyond its simple grid and colored squares. With just the right perspective, Wordle can be a canvas for creativity. And that’s just what Flam did.

One faithful day, he sat down playing Wordle and just imagined taking the daily Wordle answer and using it as the foundation for an acrostic poem. And what’s more is just he did exactly that, turning a simple word game into a bonafide literary challenge.

This idea isn’t about optimizing strategies or achieving the lowest possible score. It’s about embracing the whimsical side of language and finding humor in the unexpected. Flam’s Wordle Limericks is about discovering new and accessible ways to engage with words.

_{Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev}

What Even is a Limerick?

The limerick is a poetic form that is best known for its very distinctive structure. Limericks are often written to be lighthearted, sometimes even nonsensical in their delivery and content (although there are nuggets of wisdom found in the best ones). Whatever the case may be, limericks are quite accessible and memorable.

In a limerick, there are generally five lines that follow the very strict rhyme scheme of AABBA. This means that the first, second, and last lines rhyme with one another, while the third and fourth ones rhyme with each other.

With regards to rhythm, there are no fixed rules for limericks but usually they are anapestic, which means that there are two unstressed syllables which are followed by a stressed syllable. The first, second and fifth lines typically have three anapestic feet, while the third and fourth lines have two.

As has been said above, limericks are often playful, witty, and sometimes even a bit risque. They frequently tell a short, humorous story or make an absurd observation. This is what makes limericks quite a hoot to write: their focus on the absurd and the witty.

Edward Lear, an artist and writer from 19th-century England, is generally credited for having popularized the limerick form with his own writings. Here is an example of a Learian limerick:

There was an Old Man with a beard,

Who said, ‘It is just as I feared!

Two Owls and a Hen,

Four Larks and a Wren,

Have all built their nests in my beard!’

Wordle Gimmicks: The Wordle Limerick

In essence, a Wordle limerick is a type of limerick that is based on Wordle. You just have to solve a Wordle and use the word that comes up as the basis for your limerick. Easy enough, yeah?

• But when you start writing your Wordle limerick, you have to know how to brainstorm words and phrases that rhyme with the Worlde answer while also helping create a cohesive narrative. Don’t just use words because they rhyme!
• Develop a keen sense of how to establish a central theme or narrative for the poem. It will be difficult, but it will be extremely fun!
• Practice using vivid language to create evocative and memorable poems. The best of Marshall S. Flam’s Wordle limericks do precisely just that while also injecting humor and wit into the poems, playing with the inherent absurdity of some Wordle answers.

Imagine a limerick that is dedicated to “awkward” Wordle answers, like NYMPH or FJORD. Limericks like that demonstrate your ability to transform these seemingly challenging words into humorous or insightful poems. It is an encouragement to embrace the unexpected and find inspiration in the most unlikely places.

_{Photo by Kaboompics.com}

What You Get from Doing this Wordle Gimmick

While the primary goal is entertainment, this limerick-based approach to Wordle offers valuable learning opportunities:

• It helps you expand your vocabulary because crafting limericks requires a broad vocabulary, encouraging readers to explore synonyms and related words.
• It exercises your cognitive flexibility because the challenge of fitting words into a predetermined structure enhances your creative and problem-solving skills.
• It fosters in you an appreciation for language because this playful approach allows you to look at the beauty and versatility of language.

For a better appreciation of these types of gimmicks for language and Wordles, Wordle Limericks by Marshall S. Flam is available here in this website. Just click here to order a copy now.