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/

  • Audio (Mid-Atlantic US):

    (file)

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈfʌn.i bəʊn/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

funny bone (plural funny bones)

1. (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.

2. (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
• Icelandic: vitlausa beinið n
• Maori: tuketuke
• Polish: czułe miejsce w łokciu n
• 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
• Polish: poczucie humoru (pl) n