funny bone

American  

noun

1. the part of the elbow where the ulnar nerve passes by the internal condyle of the humerus, which when struck causes a peculiar, tingling sensation in the arm and hand; crazy bone.

2. a sense of humor.

---

funny bone British  

noun

1. Also called (US): crazy bone.  the area near the elbow where the ulnar nerve is close to the surface of the skin: when it is struck, a sharp tingling sensation is experienced along the forearm and hand

---

funny bone Idioms  

1. A point on the elbow where the ulnar nerve runs close to the surface and produces a sharp tingling sensation when knocked against the bone. For example, Ouch! I just banged my funny bone . The expression is a pun on humerus (pronounced the same as humorous ), the Latin name for the long bone of the arm. [Early 1800s]

2. A sense of humor, as in That comedian really tickles my funny bone . This expression is derived from def. 1.

---

Etymology

Origin of funny bone

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Harper finished the game, said he was fine and had just stung his funny bone.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2023

Maybe Steiner tickled your funny bone, maybe not, but “deliver a condolence card” conveyed the gravity of the moment better than the similarly generic “going out to settle him down.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2023

There has to be a heart to every character and there has to be a funny bone.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2023

Scientists have yet to definitively find a funny bone, but they are revealing nuances about the laugh impulse.

From Washington Post • Jan. 15, 2023

That made me so surprised I dropped the funny bone I was tweezering out and the game buzzed at me.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff