Candy Is Dandy Trivia Quiz

Answer: Liquor

Ogden Nash was very adept at the short and quirky verse. Born in 1902 he once commented that he always thought in rhyme and that he had done so since the age of six.

Answer: Dumb

Nash's use of 'off-beat' metre did not diminish the quality of his work and he was held in high regard by areas of the writing fraternity. Despite the drollness that characterises his poetry a number of his poems can be found in serious collections such as Selden Rodman's "A New Anthology of Modern Poetry" (1946).

Answer: A Child's Guide to Parents

The advent of a child in his life saw Nash's writing turn inward and now it was his observations of changes in dynamics in families that children created that became prevalent in his work. He would eventually progress to creating poetry directed at children that were also suitable for their parents.

Answer: Custard

This relates to Ogden's poem, "The Tale of Custard the Dragon", which deals with an individual rising above his or her own fears. Custard proves not to be a coward in the end, just a big softie. This was written as a piece of children's poetry but it served to highlight Nash's ability to make the cliché sound ... er ... 'fresh as a daisy'.

For example - The verse incorporates the black kitten called Ink and the little yellow dog named Mustard.

Answer: Never

The poem reads:
"A child need not be very clever
To learn that 'later dear' means 'never'".

Nash performed for a time in comedy clubs and, as can be seen from this piece, his ability to garner laughs was developed from direct observation.

Answer: The Phoenix

This is a great example of Nash's deliberate use of misspelled words to enhance both the rhyme and the comedy within his writing. Ogden has been credited with what may be regarded as the world's shortest poem - "Parsley is gharsley". (Please don't submit a correction notice for the spelling, it's supposed to be like that.)

Answer: There is no three-L lllama

"The one-L lama, he's a priest
The two-L llama, he's a beast
And I would bet my silk pyjama
There isn't any three-L lllama".

Ogden's collection of animal rhymes is one of his most endearing achievements. "Ogden Nash's Zoo", co-written with Etienne Delessert was published in 1986. Nash admitted that he deliberately "maltreated and man-handled every known rule of grammar, prosody and spelling".

Answer: It has gone on too long

Nash had his fair share of critics, some stating that his verse was far too 'light' to be taken seriously. Claims were made that he deliberately used differing lengths in line as a poor attempt to gain attention rather than pursue a serious attempt at poetry.

Answer: Termite

Defenders of Nash's style argue that until another Ogden Nash surfaces that the world will struggle to identify with his genius. They go further to claim that to dismiss his style as frivolous would be a case of undervaluing a bold metre that was well thought out and crafted with a vision that is missing in modern poetry.

Answer: Baltimore

His daughter says of him that "As a boy and a man he was dogged in his pursuit of ideas, ideals and aspirations, he pursued what seemed impossible goals". Whilst debate will continue on the merits of Ogden Nash's work no one can deny that his lines are certainly memorable.
"The Lord in his wisdom gave us the fly
And then forgot to tell us why."