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.

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of funny bone

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Tug at the heartstrings or tickle the funny bone; have fun with wordplay or keep it straightforward.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 22, 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

Curtis Sittenfeld is one of the many authors who has commuted on this route from the heart to the funny bone.

From Washington Post • Mar. 28, 2023

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

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2023

He fell to the floor, knocking his funny bone against the tiled floor.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro