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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

funny bone en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˈfʌn.i bəʊn/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • /ˈfʌn.i boʊn/ (General-American)
  • (Australia) audio
  • (Mid-Atlantic, US) audio

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) The ulnar nerve in the elbow, which, when hit, causes a tingling sensation.
    • Ouch, I just hit my funny bone.
  2. (mnemonic) Nickname for the humerus, so named because of its being homophonic with "humorous".
  3. (figuratively) One's sense of humor.
    • ANNOUNCER (on TV): “If you're a Parrothead, try Jimmy Buffet's Key West Saloon, located downstairs in the lobby. From World-renown chef Gordon Fukayami come Roppongi, a bistro house with a South Asian flair. And if you're looking to get your funny bone tickled, don't miss Rita Rudner's hilarious live stand-up show.” 2013 October 6, Matt McKenna, “Poltergasm” (4:21 from the start), in American Dad!, season 10, episode 2, spoken by Announcer:
    • His wisecracks always tickle my funny bone.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
funny bones Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

tickle someone's funny bone

Translations (18)

sv tjuvsena (nerve) · nl telefoonbotje (nerve) · de Musikantenknochen (nerve) · sv änkestöt (nerve) · is vitlausa beinið (nerve) · cs brňavka (nerve) · sco dirlie-bane (nerve) · ca os de la música (nerve) · fi kyynärhermo (nerve) · ca sentit de l'humor (sense of humor) · pl poczucie humoru (sense of humor) · fi kiukkusuoni (nerve) · fi nauruhermo (sense of humor) · mi tuketuke (nerve) · pl czułe miejsce w łokciu (nerve) · nl lachspieren (sense of humor) · nl stroombotje (nerve) · fr petit juif (nerve)