National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day

National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day is perhaps one of the strangest and most unusual holidays on the calendar. If you want to join in the celebration, get ready to search for words that you can’t find a rhyme for. On this day, you are encouraged to do things spontaneously, just for fun and without any particular reason. The holiday is inspired by a famous idiom featured in a Shakespeare play.

History

National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day is based on an old English idiom that dates back to the mid-15th century. The phrase first appeared in John Russell’s Boke of Nurture, and later, William Shakespeare used it in his comedies The Comedy of Errors and As You Like It (1600).

Today, this phrase is used by millions around the world. Rhyming has been an essential part of poetry for centuries, used in composing ballads, sonnets, and poems. The oldest known rhymes originated in 10th-century BC China, and some can even be found in the Bible. Rhyming flourished in the 6th and 7th centuries AD among both Arabs and the Irish.

Interesting Facts

• The word “rhyme” comes from French, originating from the word “rime”.
• In German, “rhyme” translates as a sequence or series.
• Eye rhymes are pairs of words that are spelled similarly but pronounced differently, creating a visual rhyme rather than an auditory one.
• In his plays, Shakespeare often ended scenes with rhymed couplets for dramatic effect.

How to Take Part

Make your own list of words that have no rhymes in English. Write them down and host a fun party with friends. Be sure to do something for no reason at all—be spontaneous. This is a great opportunity to get creative and try something new, whether that’s taking a trip, signing up for a masterclass, or writing a poem.

When is National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day in 2025?

National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day is observed on September 1 each year.

Observations