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

Still, Gadd’s funny bone might also find an outlet in other people’s narratives.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Bryce Harper gave the Phillies a brief scare when he hurt his funny bone in a collision at first base in Game 4.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2023

As Mary Higgins Clark put it in an interview with Newsday in 2000: “A reviewer once said, ‘Mary Higgins Clark goes for the jugular vein and Carol Higgins Clark goes for the funny bone.’

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2023

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

From Salon • Mar. 22, 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