Not a chance.

That's what I thought. It probably wouldn't even make it to the Conversational. Yet (context apart) there isn't a rude word in it.

When the Democrats cry "tax-evasion"
with no semblance of justification,
those of you who think nobly can
chalk it up to Republican
arithmetic prestidigitation.

You've heard of the famous equestrian
who thought she would look rather sexy in
no clothes, so we're told,
whereupon she caught cold,
and the eye of each passing pedestrian.



The fate of this bird has been linked
to behavior that's rather distinct:
It would not copulate
with so ugly a mate,
and that's why the dodo's extinct.

The Dodo is excellent, Marion!

Yes, Marion. Both your limericks are definitely contenders. Send them in by midnight! (Not important, but you might want to put the e-word in boldface when you submit).

Roger, since we were all (including Bill Greenwell, the setter of the competition) well and truly "had" by the New Statesman over the film titles minus one letter, and there are huge numbers of funny but spurned entries sitting around here, had you thought of proposing it to Pat at the Washington Post?

Though on reflection, as it was Bill's competition, you would probably need to make sure that he has no objection to your doing so. He may have his own Machiavellian scheme for recycling it.

Good idea. They've done very similar contests, but perhaps not this particular variant. I'll suggest it.