I Got ChatGPT to Finish Ten Limericks

Continuing my investigation into the workings of ChatGPT, I wondered how effective it would be at writing the closing line of a limerick. To find out, I rustled up ten nonsense rhymes that were minus their closing lines. I gave the simple instruction finish this limerick, and then I pasted each one in turn.

The results weren’t great. I wasn’t expecting genius wit, but the replies I got were similar to those I commented on in a previous post on this subject, that is they lack invention and have an air of laziness about them. Or at least they would if a human had created them.

Anyway, as the man said, here’s your starter for ten.

Limerick 1

A jilted young lady from Dover

Refused to accept it was over

One night in the snow

She followed her beau

And now they’re both lost in the clover

Hmm, this one smacks of that aforementioned laziness. I doubt she’d find much clover in the snow.

Limerick 2

There once was an out-of-work actor

Who tried his luck on the X-Factor

He warbled Blue Moon

But was so out of tune

That the judges cried out, “Get a chiropractor!”

I laughed when this popped up. For one, it doesn’t scan, and for another, it’s plain bonkers. Better, but not great.

Limerick 3

A woman from Burton on Trent

Was six weeks behind with her rent

To bring in some cash

She did something rash

And started selling her own fermented scent

There’s a theme developing here, and it’s put in anything that rhymes.

Limerick 4

A clumsy young chef name of Otto

Got some paraquat in his risotto

As diners got sick

A waiter said “quick

I’ll take that plate back to the grotto!”

Again, it’s throwing in any word that rhymes. Having said that, Otto doesn’t have too many of those, so in fairness that was a tricky one. With that in mind, I tried something with a much bigger pool of rhyming words.

Limerick 5

An elderly man from Dundee

Developed a new way to pee

He undid his fly

Looked up at the sky

And said, “What a great view I can see!”

Lame!

Limerick 6

While driving the Mystery Machine

Freddie said something obscene

Shaggy just laughed

But Velma went daft

And said, “That’s it, I’m done with this scene!”

This is better because at least it’s plausible. It still doesn’t scan well though. Leaving out “That’s it,” would have made it work.

Limerick 7

The woman two doors down from me

Had an old snooker ball for a knee

When she went for a walk

She took some blue chalk

So she could mark out where she’d been, you see!

A clumsy finish, but in keeping with previous efforts.

Limerick 8

A woman with twenty-one pets

Had a dog that could roll cigarettes

And a cat that could draw

And a tortoise that swore

And a parrot that never forgets!

This is the best yet. It does have a semblance of a limerick and is more in keeping with what I was expecting. Very good.

Limerick 9

Old Edward’s a hundred and two

But I bet he’s much fitter than you

Although he may creak

His well-toned physique

Is proof that his fitness is true!

Meh! Not great, but I’m getting used to it, so it’ll do.

Limerick 10

And now we have run out of time

So here is the very last rhyme

I wanted to see

If ChatGPT

Could craft words so sublime

Well, that was an anticlimax. This wonder of Artificial Intelligence had the chance to go out on a high; to big itself up and show its capabilities to the world (or at least my readers). Instead, it came up with a lame-duck finale that stunk the place out.

Verdict: Can do better.