Why Is It Called The Funny Bone
Besides being used to describe that strange sensation you feel when you hit it, the term funny bone has also come to mean the "location" of a person's sense of humor. Learn why the funny bone is not a bone but a nerve, and how it causes tingling, pain and numbness when hit. Explore two theories on the origin of the funny bone name: one from the sensation and one from the anatomy.
Why is it called a funny bone? Your ulnar nerve runs underneath the first layer of skin near your elbow. When you bump your elbow against a hard surface, you may temporarily pinch your ulnar nerve. The impact causes a funny-feeling, shock-like tingling or burning known as hitting your funny bone.
The "funny bone" is a spot behind the elbow where the ulnar nerve is less protected by tissue and bone. Hitting this spoteven lightlycan cause pain and tingling sensations down your forearm. People often describe this sensation as an electric shock-like pain typical of an irritated nerve.
Bumping your funny bone is not funny at all it hurts. In addition, its not even a bone! So why is it called the funny bone? The funny bone is the spot at the back of your elbow where the ulnar nerve (one of the three main nerves in the arm) rests against the humerus (upper arm bone). Uncover the truth behind the funny bone sensation.
Learn what it is, why it tingles, and the surprising origin of its curious name. Learn the origin and meaning of the term funny bone, which refers to a place behind the elbow that hurts when hit. Find out how it relates to humerus, humorous, and crazy bone, and see examples from old newspapers and magazines.
Anatomically, this spot isnt a bone at all but the ulnar nerve skimming the elbow. So why funny bone? It turns out the moniker is a Victorian-era pun. Why Is It Called the Funny Bone? There are several theories on how the term funny bones originated.
Most believe that it is a survival of the accidental pun on the humerus, the upper arm bone, having a similar pronunciation to humorous. Discover why they call it the funny bone, which isn't a bone at all but a sensitive nerve. Learn the true origin and science behind this curious term.
