funny bone

See also: funnybone

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “often said to be a pun on humorous/humerus, but other sources deny this”)

Pronunciation

(General American) IPA^(key): /ˈfʌn.i boʊn/
(Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈfʌn.i bəʊn/
Audio (AU) (file)

Noun

funny bone (plural funny bones)

(idiomatic) The ulnar nerve in the elbow, which, when hit, causes a tingly sensation. [from the 19th c.]
Ouch, I just hit my funny bone.
(figuratively) One's sense of humor.
His wisecracks always tickle my funny bone.

Derived terms

tickle someone's funny bone

Translations

nerve

Catalan: os de la música m
Czech: brňavka f
Dutch: telefoonbotje n, stroombotje n
Finnish: kiukkusuoni (fi), kyynärhermo (fi)
French: petit juif (fr) m
German: Musikantenknochen (de) m
Maori: tuketuke
Scots: dirlie-bane
Swedish: tjuvsena (sv) c, änkestöt (sv) c (the occurrence of hitting one's funny bone)

sense of humor

Catalan: sentit de l'humor m
Dutch: lachspieren (nl) pl
Finnish: nauruhermo