funny bone
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.
a sense of humor.
Origin of funny bone
1Words Nearby funny bone
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use funny bone in a sentence
If you’re new to the Invite, today’s results should provide inspiration and guidance as to what sets the Empress’s funny bone to Vibrate.
He landed on the funny-bone of a boy struggling with Marty for the ball.
Rough-Hewn | Dorothy CanfieldIn spite of his unhappiness and that weight of melancholy, the others heavy humor tickled Bobs funny bone.
Nothing But the Truth | Frederic S. IshamI used to grab hold of his arm, to shake him awake mornings, and I'd happen to hit his funny bone in his elbow.
Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue in the Big Woods | Laura Lee HopeE cannot be complete in aughtWho is not humorously prone,— A man without a merry thoughtCan hardly have a funny bone.
Quips and Quiddities | William Davenport Adams
Why say, you old redheaded funny-bone, I'm ashamed to tell you what I'd do for one-half that much money, honest I am.
The Song of the Wolf | Frank Mayer
British Dictionary definitions for funny 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: Also called (US): crazy bone
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with funny bone
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]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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