h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is an excellent article. Brief and accurate. What we really need now is some dedicated researchers to add their favourite clerihews.

I agree. Short, sweet, to the point, and ready for the edited guide as it stands.

- Lentilla

I agree.

May I disagree?

I think that this is a great start to an entry on Clerihews, but there is quite a bit more to be said.

It tells us very little of ECB, except to call him a journalist. In fact he wrote one of the most popular detective novels of his time, Trent's Last Case (1912). I think it might be worth mentioning that he invented the Clerihew at the age of only 16, and he did so in association with his contemporary (and school friend)GK Chesterton, who of course also wnet on to be a mystery writer. In fact, GKC illustrated ECB's first book of clerihews. I'd like to see the entry name ECB's three books of clerihews, and perhaps include ECB's own defining clerihew
The art of Biography
Is different from Geography
Geography is about maps
But Biography is about chaps.

I've had a few postings with jim about this entry, and I'd love to see it develop a little further...

But then the article wouldn't be about Clerihews, it would be about ECB.

I agree it would be useful to say he invented them at age 16, and to include his inaugural clerihew.



- Adam

Point taken, up to a point. I still think it would be worthwhile to mention when and how they were published. If it's going to concentrate more on clerihews then there are a lot more examples out there:

George the Third
Ought never to have occurred.
One can only wonder
At so grotesque a blunder.

You are a veritable mine of Clerihew gems, sir!

Edgar Allan Poe
Was passionately fond of roe.
He always liked to chew some
When writing anything gruesome.

I even had one written for me by a friend, but as I have changed jobs, it's no longer relevant

There's this guy named Cloviscat
Who really knows where it's at
He knows all about Clerihews
Giving us something upon which to muse...

- Lentilla

The article implies but does not state that a Clerihew always includes at least one proper name - ie it is about a person or place. I think Geography just sneaks in under the wire there, though you say that it was the seminal one? Interesting, didn't know that...

The only one I can remember off hand shows how pronunciation has changed in the last 80 years and is:

The thing that keeps me in the dark
About Iraq
Is that I never can
Tell it from Iran.

My big sis knows billions, I think I'll ask her for some.

Lentilla - thank you!

Happy, Happy, Happy!

I like it. I feel the Tallis clerihew should be replaced by the inaugural one mentioned, and yes, some history would be good.

Sir Humphry Davy
Abominated gravy.
He lived in the odium
Of having discovered Sodium.

H G Wells
Was composed of cells
He thought the human race
A terrible disgrace

I'm open to correction on the last line of this second one. Of course, I'm open to correction on all topics. I mean, I think it is probably wrong.

Is it a requirement of clerihews that the lines be of unequal lengths?

I'm pleased to inform you that your entry has been recommended for the Edited Guide! You'll receive an e-mail notifying you when it's about to appear, but it'll be a little while. Thanks for writing such a great entry!

Editorial Note: This thread has been moved out of the Peer Review forum because this entry has now been recommended for the Edited Guide.

If they haven't been along already, the Scout who recommended your entry will post here soon, to let you know what happens next. Meanwhile you can find out what will happen to your entry here: http://www.h2g2.com/SubEditors-Process

Congratulations!

Are clerihews always about people? If Geographical locations can be the subject:

L'Avenue Foch
is for people who are posh,
L'Avenue Victor Hugo
is where people like me and you go.

(Chas Hennessy - Quips,Slurs and Gaffes)