clerihew

[ kler-uh-hyoo ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Prosody.

a light verse form, usually consisting of two couplets, with lines of uneven length and irregular meter, the first line usually containing the name of a well-known person.

clerihew

/ ˈklɛrɪˌhjuː /

a form of comic or satiric verse, consisting of two couplets of metrically irregular lines, containing the name of a well-known person

1925–30; named after E. Clerihew Bentley (1875–1956), English writer, its inventor

C20: named after Edmund Clerihew Bentley , who invented it

"I shall be happy for one," said Mrs. Clerihew, laying stress on the aspirate.

"Two gills to the coffin-room, Mrs. Clerihew," he cried to the woman in the kitchen.

"Convictions are well enough when you can afford 'em," Brother Clerihew grunted again.

The three kept sentry, knowing that Clerihew must sooner or later return with his convoy, there being no other exit.

The quarrel had started in the forenoon over a dirty trick played by Brother Clerihew, the ex-butler.

Browse