The persiflage of authority in general and especially atheism in limericks is explained on basis of the Oedipus complex. The author states, in analyzing drinking songs, that men are more narcissistically preoccupied with their own sexuality than with the female sex. Oral and anal perversions and sadomasochism predominate. Tenderness seems entirely lacking; women and genitality are disparaged. All this is quoted as a proof of the fact that the conception of repression is applicable to 'normal' as well as to neurotic individuals.