Isaac Asimov Wrote “Gross” Limericks — Lots of Them

asimov gross limericks
Isaac Asimov — he’s best known for his masterful works of science fiction.  He was also a professor of biochemistry at Boston University. A committed humanist. And someone who enjoyed writing lots of dirty limericks. Somewhere on his list of 500+ books, you will find Lecherous Limericks (1976), Limericks: Too Gross (1978), A Grossery of Limericks (1981), and Asimov Laughs Again: More Than 700 Jokes, Limericks, and Anecdotes (1993). In two of these volumes, Asimov sparred with popular poet and Dante translator John Ciardi, each writing dirty poems, and trying to master a rather strict poetic form that began in early 18th century England.

Most of the limericks are indeed a “gross.” Many are crude. Some would be considered downright offensive by 2015 standards. But, if you want a taste of what Asimov served up, you can try out these tamer ones from Limericks: Too Gross.

The haughty philosopher, Plato
Would unbend to a sweet young tomato.
Though she might be naive
Like you wouldn’t believe
He would patiently show her the way to.

A certain young fellow named Scott
Once jumped his young bride on their cot.
He intended no shirking.
But from sheer overworking
A dry run is all that she got.

If you want to see Asimov at his tamest, you can also check out his book Limericks for Children.

Related Content:

Isaac Asimov Predicts in 1964 What the World Will Look Like Today — in 2014

Free: Isaac Asimov’s Epic Foundation Trilogy Dramatized in Classic Audio

Isaac Asimov Imagines Learning in the Electronic Age … and Gets It Quite Right (1989)


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