How Do You Spell FUNNY BONE?

Pronunciation: [fˈʌni bˈə͡ʊn] (IPA)

The word "funny bone" is often misspelled as "funnybone," but in fact it should be spelled with a space between the two words. The pronunciation of "funny bone" is /ˈfʌni boʊn/, with stress on the first syllable of "funny." The word is derived from the Latin word "humerus," meaning the upper arm bone, and the sensation felt when the ulnar nerve is struck at the elbow. Though humorous to some, hitting one's funny bone is no laughing matter!

FUNNY BONE Meaning and Definition

1. The term "funny bone" refers to a colloquial name given to a specific point in the body where the ulnar nerve, also known as the "funny bone nerve," is superficially exposed. Contrary to its name, the funny bone is not a bone, but a nerve that runs down the arm and passes through the elbow joint. When this nerve is accidentally struck or compressed, it can cause a unique sensation that is often described as tingling, numbness, or a temporary loss of feeling in the arm or hand.

   The funny bone can be found on the inside part of the elbow, commonly referred to as the "crazy bone." The ulnar nerve is particularly vulnerable at this location, being relatively close to the surface of the skin, with only a thin layer of tissue covering it. Surprisingly, when the nerve is hit, it does not result in any true damage to the bone or the nerve itself. Instead, the sensation is caused by the impact or pressure on the nerve, which leads to the temporary disruption of its normal functioning.

   While the name "funny bone" implies amusement, the experience of hitting this nerve can be rather uncomfortable or even painful for some individuals. However, given its amusing name, the term "funny bone" has become widely used to describe this common phenomenon, as it serves as a reminder of the irony that an accidental strike at this specific point can elicit such an unusual sensation.

Common Misspellings for FUNNY BONE

• dunny bone
• cunny bone
• vunny bone
• gunny bone
• tunny bone
• runny bone
• fynny bone
• fhnny bone
• fjnny bone
• finny bone
• f8nny bone
• f7nny bone
• fubny bone
• fumny bone
• fujny bone
• fuhny bone
• funby bone
• funmy bone
• funjy bone

Etymology of FUNNY BONE

The term "funny bone" is a colloquial expression used to describe the tingling sensation one feels after accidentally hitting their ulnar nerve, located near the elbow joint. The term itself is believed to be a play on words and has nothing to do with actual humor or comedy.

The etymology of the term "funny bone" is not entirely clear. However, there are a few different theories regarding its origin. One possible explanation is that the term "funny bone" may have derived from the Latin term "humerus", which means "upper arm bone". Over time, due to humorous associations or rhyming, "humerus" may have transformed into "funny bone". Another theory suggests that the term may originate from the term "funny", which used to mean "peculiar" or "odd" in older English.

Idioms with the word FUNNY BONE

• tickle (someone's) funny bone The idiom "tickle (someone's) funny bone" means to cause someone to laugh or find something amusing, often by way of a clever or humorous remark, joke, or situation. It refers to tickling, which can induce laughter through stimulation, but in this case, it pertains to stimulating someone's sense of humor.
• funny bone A sensitive spot at the back of the elbow where a nerve passes close to the surface of the skin, which causes a tingling or prickling sensation when it is hit.

Similar spelling word for FUNNY BONE

• shinbone.