Why does it hurt so bad when you hit your funny bone and Why is it called a funny bone?

Question

...when there is absolutely nothing funny about it when you hit it?

Answer 1

The "funny bone" got its nickname because of that funny feeling you get after you hit it.

But your funny bone isn't actually a bone at all. Running down the inside part of your elbow is a nerve called the ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve controls feeling in your fourth and fifth fingers. It's also one of the nerves that controls the movement of your wrist.

You get that funny feeling when the ulnar nerve is bumped against the humerus (say: hyoo-muh-rus), the long bone that starts at your elbow and goes up to your shoulder. Tapping your funny bone doesn't do any damage to your elbow, arm, or ulnar nerve. But it sure feels strange!

Answer 2

Why Does Funny Bone Hurt

Answer 3

It hurts so much because it is a high concentration of nerves in a small area, its called a funny bone because of the strange effects it has on other parts of your arm
I agree there's nothing funny about it, but hey who knows how these things get their name

Answer 4

Because you hit between the bone and send like a mini shock way into the cartlage. Hurts like heck yes but it is so funny for the person watching

Answer 5

Dang, Wally - just what have you been into today? LOL Because of the mild pain and tingling throughout the forearm associated with an inadvertent impact of the nerve at this point, it is usually called the funny bone. (It may also have to do with its location relative to the humerus, as the name "humerus" is a homonym to the word "humorous"). You're right, ain't a daggum thing funny about hitting it!

Answer 6

Apparently, there's something called the ulnar nerve which runs very close to the surface and when you knock your arm against something it hits the bone and produces a "sharp tingling sensation".

As to what's funny about, I'm not sure! Maybe it's not funny in the ha-ha sense, but more of a funny-weird thing. Also, it's only funny in English. Other languages refer to it as the "electric buzz nerve", the "honeymoon nerve" and the "widow nerve", although I have no idea why. Bizarre!

Answer 7

okay, this is total speculation, but
I think its called funny bone because if you don't laugh, you'll cry
I think it hurts so bad because its not actually a bone you are hitting, I think it is the tissue in that space between the bones

Answer 8

Because the medical name for the funny bone is the Humerus. Funny-humerous. It hurts so much cos the ulnar nerve is slightly exposed there under the skin. When you hit it you are directly hitting a nerve.

Answer 9

every time kenny took his pants off the girls would laugh at his funny bone. i thought it was funny, but he didn't find it humerus. there certainly isn't anything funny about it when it gets hit.

Answer 10

because sometimes its just funny when it hurts,, someone else.