A limerick is a form of verse that originated in England in the early 18th century). It is a traditional humorous drinking song often with obscene verses). The standard form of a limerick is a stanza of five lines, with the first, second, and fifth lines rhyming with one another and having three feet of three syllables each, while the shorter third and fourth lines also rhyme with each other but have only two feet of three syllables). The third and fourth lines are usually anapaestic, or one iamb followed by one anapaest, while the first, second, and fifth lines are usually either anapaests or amphibrachs). The origin of the name "limerick" for this type of poem is debated, but it is generally taken to be a reference to the City or County of Limerick in Ireland, sometimes particularly to the Maigue Poets). Limericks are often nonsensical and frequently ribald. They are a popular form of short, humorous verse that can be used to tell silly short stories.