Limerick Ode to the Corkscrew

Happy anniversary to the corkscrew! On March 27, 1860, New Yorker M.L. Byrn patented a corkscrew design. “It was T-shaped, based on gadgets that had long been used to extract bullets stuck in the muzzles of guns. Corkscrews had been around before Byrn’s invention, but his design became the standard in America for decades.”

Limerick Ode To The Corkscrew
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Make a toast to a corking invention–
An aid in removing our tension.
Does your life feel screwed up?
Need some sips with your sup?
Then give praise for the corkscrew’s ascension.

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19 Responses to “Limerick Ode to the Corkscrew”

  1. jazzbumpa says:

    hats off to Byrne and his fine
    invention for opening wine
    an aid to decanting
    that obviates ranting
    or even a reason to whine

    Cheers!
    JzB

  2. brian miller says:

    ha. thank goodness for the corkscrew, eh? smiles…otherwise how’d we un stopper…

  3. Sue Dulley says:

    The traditional corkscrew design
    Is the best thing for opening wine.
    I haven’t the patience
    For new variations
    (Unless it’s a screw cap – that’s fine.)

  4. Andy Sewina says:

    LIKE
    I wrote a quick line for Mad Kane
    It’s not rock ‘n’ roll its just plain
    A Limerick no
    You’re mad to think so
    So, Like, if you think it’s insane
    26032013

  5. Rachel says:

    Hehe. Love this! :)

  6. An essential Limerick indeed :-)

  7. yeah mr box and screwtop are just lowbrow imitators

  8. nan says:

    L’chaim! My visits here always bring a smile. So clever, so Mad.

  9. What I wonder is how they opened wine before he invented it:)

  10. Sara V says:

    My hat (or my cork?) is off to this gent! Brilliant cross purpose, don’t know what we’d have done without him–Great limmerick Mad :-)

  11. One of your very best – and that’s saying something!

  12. Doug says:

    Marvelous!

  13. Kim Nelson says:

    I’ll drink to that!

    It Begins

  14. JulesPaige says:

    Some days you learn two new things…

  15. Tumblewords says:

    Where would we be without it – great limerick accolade!

  16. madkane says:

    Thanks so much everyone for your lovely comments and fun verse!