A FAMOUS LIMERICK

Evening Post, Volume CCXV, Issue 13, 17 January 1938, Page 8

A FAMOUS LIMERICK

RELATIVITY IN VERSE

As the author of the relativity limerick, perhaps I may be allowed to say that the limerick was made by me about fifteen years ago while sitting in the garden of my friend and former colleague, Dr. G. A. Shakespea?, Lecturer on Physics at the University of Birmingham (writes Mr. A. H. R. Buller in the London "Observer").

After conversing together on Einstein's theory, I suggested that we should each try to make a relativity limerick. At the end of about five minutes the limericks were ready and were exchanged, but with nothing more than a trace of mutual admiration.

Some two years later, in 1923, at a meeting of the Scientific Club of Winnipeg, a paper on relativity was presented by a physicist and an engineer asked why it had been assumed that the greatest speed was that of light. I then said that, for my purpose, I had assumed that there was a speed greater, than that of light, and that I had introduced this idea into a limerick, which, with the chairman's permission, I would recite. The verse was received with laughter and applause.

Three days later I was walking along Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, on my way to the University of Manitoba, when I met a reporter from the "Winnipeg Free Press." "Buller," he said, "I have heard that limerick of yours. It is very good. I sometimes send things to "Punch" and, if you don't mind, I should like to send that."

"Thank you very much," I replied, "but, if my limerick is going to 'Punch,' I would rather send it myself." On arriving at the university I wrote out the limerick and at once sent it off to "Punch." Six weeks later I received from the editor a copy of ' Punch' with my limerick in it, and an honorarium of a few shillings.

The original form of the limerick was as follows:—

There was a young lady named Bright, Whose speed was far faster than light;

She set out one day, In a relative way, And returned home the previous night.

Since the relativity limerick was published I have noted that at various times it has been attributed to three bishops and to a well-known American authoress.