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Choliamb

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A metrical line consisting of five iambs with a trochee or spondee in the final foot

Detailed Definition
A Choliamb (or “limping iamb”) is a satirical meter invented by the Greek poet Hipponax, consisting of an iambic trimeter with a spondee substituted in the final foot, creating a halting, grotesque rhythm; this deliberately clumsy meter was used for invective or lowbrow humor, influencing later Roman satire (e.g., Catullus) and modern parodies that employ metrical disruption for comic or critical effect.
Example
Example in poetry:
Choliamb: Mimnermus’ bitter elegies in limping iambics; “I wanted to live, but the gods said no” (original choliamb: spondee in final foot); Satirical use: “Your tweet went viral—now you’re canceled, bro” (modern choliamb)
Additional Notes
Choliamb (or “limping iamb”) is a satiric meter ending a line with a spondee instead of an iamb, creating a halting, ironic rhythm; used by Greek poets like Hipponax and adapted by Catullus.
Also Known As
Scazon Limping iambics Scazon verse
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