Everyone loves to laugh. Whether it’s because of a funny movie, a good knock-knock jokeor a clown, smiling and laughing just make us feel better. So what tickles your funny bone?
Did you even know you had a funny bone? Well, you do…although it doesn’t have anything to do with laughing or your sense of humor.
If you’ve ever hit your funny bone, you probably remember it. If you bump the inside of your elbow in just that certain place, you’ll experience a weird tingling feeling or maybe even a dull pain that smarts just a bit. It usually feels like a weird “pins and needles” sensation and it may hurt.
That’s your funny bone! And the funny thing is…it’s not a bone at all! The “funny bone” is actually a nerve. The ulnar nerve runs along the inside part of your elbow. It sends information to the brain from your pinky finger and the finger right next to it. It also controls some of your hand’s movements.
The ulnar nerve is the largest unprotected nerve in the body. Unlike most other nerves that are protected by muscle or bone, the ulnar nerve sits on top of the hard part of your elbow where there’s usually not much fatty tissue to cushion it.
As a result, the ulnar nerve is easy to ding by bumping it against something. When this happens, the ulnar nerve is pressed against the nearby humerus bone, which is the long bone that goes from your elbow to your shoulder.
Bumping your “funny bone” like this doesn’t do any damage to your elbow or the ulnar nerve, but it sure feels weird! You can usually feel the sensation primarily in the areas controlled by the ulnar nerve: your pinky and ring fingers.
If you’re wondering how the “funny bone” got its name, there are a couple of theories. Some people believe it’s because of the funny feeling (funny as in “weird,” not funny as in “ha-ha!”) you get when you bump your elbow in this way.
Others believe it’s because the ulnar nerve hits the humerus bone. Although it’s spelled differently, humerus is pronounced just like “humorous,” which means funny.
(17 votes, avg. 3.82 out of 5) 
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Can you do a wonder on R2-D2?
Hello, Rahul! Thanks so much for suggesting a Wonder about R2-D2…you’ve given us a great idea for a future Wonder of the Day® about ROBOTS!
Wow, that is a COOL wonder of the day! I had always thought that your funny bone was a bone, not a nerve. I think that tomorrow’s will be about skateboard tricks.
Thanks for letting us know you learned a cool new fact about your funny bone by exploring this Wonder of the Day®, Nick! We like your guess for tomorrow’s Wonder, too! Did you know there is already a cool skateboard trick Wonder? It’s past Wonder #318 – How Do You Ollie? Here is a link that will take you right to it: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-you-ollie/. Happy WONDERing!
Wow is right! Now I have back up information on my theory that it indeed was not a bone at all. I also agree a wonder of the day about robots would be interesting. Like I was saying, I think that an wonder of the day about brain cells could be interesting…..For example, what happens when you hit your head too many times, or why you feel, in lack of a better word “dumb” when school starts back.
We think your comment is AWESOME, Leira’! Thanks so much for visiting Wonderopolis today and for sharing your great suggestion for a future Wonder about the brain and/or brain cells!
Yes, everyone has a funny bone even if they are not funny! We think that everyone has the same skeleton. We were surprised that the funny bone is not a bone but a nerve! We love checking out the wonder of the day-thanks for getting us thinking every Wednesday morning!
We’re so glad visiting Wonderopolis is part of your Wednesday mornings, Mrs. Morales’ second graders! Thank you for sharing all the FUN things you guys learned by exploring today’s Wonder of the Day® together!
I love it! I’m going to have to remember this one when I do my “Dem Bones” unit in preschool this fall!
Happy Wednesday, Sandy! We think you are a SUPER Wonder Friend for leaving us a comment on Wonderopolis.org AND on our Wonderopolis Facebook page today! We like hearing from you and appreciate how you seek to instill WONDER in your students!
Do you think you could do a wonder about flowers?
Hello, Meghan! We’re so glad you asked for a Wonder about FLOWERS! We’ve got a GREAT one we think you’ll enjoy exploring! It’s past Wonder #235 – How Are Annuals and Perennials Different? Here is a link that will take you right to it: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/whats-the-difference-between-annuals-and-perennials/. Happy WONDERing!
I think tomorrow’s wonder of the day will about skating on ice. Since we live in the desert, we never get to skate on ice.
Thanks for trying to guess what tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day® will be about, Ivana! We think it’s GREAT that so many of our Wonder Friends live in different parts of the country (and the world!) and get to experience all sorts of environments! We bet living in the desert provides you with LOTS of things to WONDER about…we think that’s AWESOME!
We have a past Wonder we think you might enjoy! It’s past Wonder #67 – When Were Ice Skates Invented? Here is a link to it: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/when-were-ice-skates-invented/. Happy WONDERing!
I liked the wonder of the day today. I learned that it is not a bone. Allie M.
We thought that was an interesting fact to learn, too, Allie! Thank you for stopping by Wonderopolis today and leaving us this GREAT comment!
Dear WONDEROPOLIS,
I learned that … if you hit your funny bone it might tingle. The funny bone is not a bone it is a nerve. Your funny bone does not have that much tissue. People think the name funny bone came from because your funny bone tickles. My class is doing the skeleton you put on WONDEROPOLIS. Do we have two funny bones? Mrs. Phillips’ WONDERFUL Student, Allison
You really learned a LOT about funny bones today, Allison! We’re so super proud of you! You know what? We DO have TWO funny bones (ulnar nerves), one for each arm! That’s some AWESOME extra WONDERing you did about that!
I liked the wonder. I learned a lot.
Thanks so much for letting us know you liked today’s Wonder of the Day® and that you enjoyed learning new things by exploring it, Richard! We’re happy to hear from you!
We appreciate that you write the articles so they are easy to understand. We enjoyed the topic. The video was difficult to understand. We wish the video had more scientific information about the “funny bone” and ulnar nerve.
Hello, Mrs. Upham’s Class! Thank you so much for visiting today’s Wonder and for letting us know what you thought about the video! We try really hard to pick the best video to go along with each Wonder of the Day®. Sometimes we pick videos that help explain the Wonder of the Day® a little better. Other times, we pick videos that just show kids and grown ups something fun that relates to that day’s Wonder. We try to vary the types of videos we show so there is always something new!
I don’t know what it’s feels like. It might feel bad, I don’t know what it means.
Happy Wednesday, Jimmy! We think you are really lucky if you have never hit your funny bone (ulnar nerve)! It’s not a “funny” feeling at all!
I’ve hit my funny bone before, it didn’t feel good. I don’t know why they call it a funny bone if it’s not funny, and it’s not a bone…it’s a nerve!!!!! I hate when I hit my funny bone. You don’t even laugh.
You’re right about that one, Kymberly! We don’t think we’ve ever seen anyone laugh when they’ve hit their funny bone, either! We HAVE heard some crying and yelling of the word, “OUCH,” though!
It does tickle when you hit your funny bone. It tickles really bad that I want to cry. I want to be in the wonderoplis crew. I would scream loud if I was. Wonderoplis is so cool, I want to make a wonder to show everyone in my school, but it would be a funny one that my whole school and my classmates would laugh very loudly. lol
Guess what, Aleia? You ARE in the Wonderopolis crew! Every Wonder Friend who visits Wonderopolis and learns something new each day is absolutely part of our WONDER CREW! You can even suggest ideas for future Wonders of the Day® by leaving us a comment, or by clicking on the “nominate” button at the top of every page in Wonderopolis, filling in the boxes, and submitting your awesome idea! It’s really simple and LOTS of fun!
Wonderopolis, do you think that if you hit a funny bone it will hurt? Well, I think it will. Funny bones do not feel funny to me. I hope you like my comment.
OF COURSE we like your comment, Aiden! We like all of your comments! We think you are a GREAT Wonder Friend for exploring each day’s Wonder and leaving us comments when you can! We really appreciate you letting us know what you think and learn after you visit the Wonder of the Day®!
NOT EVERYONE HAS A SILLY BONE. WHEN YOU ARE A BABY, YOU DON’T HAVE ONE BUT, AS YOU GROW UP, IT GET BIGGER AND BIGGER. WHEN YOU HIT IT ON SOMETHING, IT SIZZLES.
We really like the word you used to describe what it feels like when you hit your funny bone, Tylan! “SIZZLES” is a very creative word that really describes what it feels like! Way to go!
THAT WAS A SHORT VIDEO, I MEAN REALLY SHORT.
Thanks for sharing what you thought about the video for this Wonder, Ashlyn! We appreciate your comment!
Dear Wonderopolis,
Cool wonder! You don’t have a funny bone when you are younger but as you get older it gets bigger. And when you hit it on something, it hurts or vibrates. It feels weird. I think tomorrow’s wonder is about bugs.
XOXOXOXOXO,
Paige
Thanks for the great comment and for sharing what you learned by visiting today’s Wonder, Paige!
The video was really good, but I don’t have a funny bone and not everybody has a funny bone.
Thanks for letting us know you liked the video for this Wonder and also for sharing your thoughts about funny bones, Kendall! We’re glad you stopped by Wonderopolis today!
Dear Wonderopolis, I love your site. A kid in our class was wondering the same thing.
We’re so happy to hear that you love visiting Wonderopolis, Sarah! That makes our day!
Hey! Ms. Brasdis told me my wonder was up here, but I wanted to check and see for myself. Awesome! Thanks for wondering with me and letting me know what a funny bone is all about.
We think it’s AWESOME that you checked out today’s Wonder, Brandon…thanks so much for inspiring it! We’re super glad you learned what a funny bone really was!
Thanks for the awesome comment that you left me.
You’re welcome, Kendall! Thank YOU for being an awesome Wonder Friend and visiting this Wonder of the Day®!
I learned that your funny bone goes from your elbow to your shoulder.
Great job, Jacob! We really like hearing all the great facts our Wonder Friends learn by exploring the Wonders of the Day! Thanks for sharing what YOU learned today!
Will tomorrow’s wonder be about skating? Because my class is going on a skating field trip tomorrow.
We think that’s so COOL that your class is going on a skating field trip, Tiffaniey! That sounds like so much fun! We never give away the next Wonder of the Day®, but we like to give a hint or two!
By the way, I live in Canada!
Thanks for sharing a little more about yourself with all of your friends here in Wonderopolis, Tiffaniey! We’re glad you stopped by this Wonder today…have FUN on your field trip!
Hi, Wonderopolis! We did not know that your funny bone is really a nerve! It makes your hand go up and down when you hit the front of your elbow. We did not know that at all! Thank you for the wonderful Wonder!!!!!!! Bye, Wonderopolis
Thanks for being WONDERful Wonder Friends, Kim and Lauren! We liked receiving your comment today and hearing what you guys learned about funny bones!
Hey Guys! It’s Joaquin! This Is An AWESOME Post! My Mommy And Me Tried The Mr. Bones And We Won! Though It Took Until 12:00 am We Won! I Was Suggesting That After The R2-D2 Post You Post A Article
About Spongebob Squarepants! I Wanna Know Why They Started
Making Spongebob Squarepants And His Story! You’re The BEST Information Giving Website In The Universe! WONDERopolis Forever! Until Then……………
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WOW, Joaquin! Congrats to you and your mom! We think it ROCKS that you shared Wonderopolis together at home…it makes us super happy when we hear about families doing that! Thanks for the awesome things you said about Wonderopolis, too! You are a GREAT Wonder Friend!
I’ve hit my funny bone already, it was not nice, nothing funny about it at all. I did not know that it was a nerve, though, but now I understand why it feels that way. It sure feels painfully funny. Thank you, wonderopolis.
Your comment is AWESOME, Glenise! We like how you described the way hitting your funny bone feels “painfully funny.” That’s a good way to put it!
Could you do a wonder on Legos and who invented them? Keep doing what you are doing.
We think a future Wonder about LEGOS® is a GREAT idea, Kenneth! Thanks for leaving us this comment to suggest it!
I’m wondering how many bones you have in your body? Because I don’t know how many bones are in your body.
Hi, Jacob! That’s a GREAT question! The average adult human being has 206 bones. Thanks for WONDERing about that…we’re proud of you!
Whenever I hit my “funny bone” on something, I laugh. Why?
Hello, Anna! When you hit your funny bone (or ulnar nerve), you will feel a strong tingle. Sometimes this feeling startles people. Maybe when you are startled, it is your natural reaction to laugh? Thanks so much for visiting Wonderopolis today!
Mr. Bones is really fun to play and that is a good game to have on wonderopolis.
Thanks for visiting this Wonder of the Day® and for letting us know you liked the Mr. Bones game, Rashell!
THAT was sooooooooooo cute…. but I couldn’t hear her the first time….
Hello, Marion! Thanks for leaving us so many great comments on different Wonders today! We appreciate you exploring Wonderopolis and sharing what you liked about your adventure!
Hi there, wonderopolis!! I stumbled across this website and think it’s just fantastic!! I can’t wait to start using it with my class each week for a “WONDER-full Wednesday” brain spot!! It’s such a fantastic site and it’s very impressive that you are able to reply to every post!! My kids are going to LOVE this!!
Welcome to Wonderopolis, Mrs D’s Year 6 Class! We are so happy you found us and we look forward to hearing about all the WONDERful things you and your students will be learning on Wednesdays! It’s AWESOME to meet new Wonder Friends!
I think tomorrow’s wonder of the day is about skating. I think tomorrow’s WONDER of the day is going to be about again skateboards, people, tracks or skating rinks. I wonder who invented skateboards. Have a WONDERful day.
Thanks for letting us know what you think tomorrow’s Wonder will be about, Caleb! Check out Wonder #318 – How Do You Ollie? Here is a link that will take you right to it: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-you-ollie/. We think it’s a Wonder that a skateboarder kind of guy like you will enjoy! Happy WONDERing!
Everybody has a funny bone!!!!!
Hello, Marion! Thanks so much for leaving us this great comment today!
Why is it called a funny bone? It’s not even funny. I always thought it was a nerve not called “funny bone.”
<3 you guys. P.S. You guys make good videos to watch in school, then learn about it.
Thanks for letting us know you visit Wonderopolis in school and learn new things when you do, SsassyCat923! It makes us really happy to hear that!
Where do you come up with all these great ideas?
Hi, Ivana! Did you know that most of the ideas for future Wonders of the Day® come from the creative minds of Wonder Friends just like YOU? It’s true! You can let us know the awesome things you WONDER about anytime by leaving us a comment or by clicking on the “nominate” link at the top of every page in Wonderopolis and answering the quick questions! It’s really fun to WONDER, and it’s really easy to let us know what kinds of ideas you have for future Wonders of the Day!
Yes, everybody has a funny bone. I really do have a funny bone.
We appreciate you sharing your personal connection to this Wonder of the Day®, Zoe! Thank you!
Yes everybody does. They call it a funny bone because after you hit it and it really hurts it tingles and it feels funny. It’s happened to me a ton of times.
Thanks so much for sharing your personal connection to this Wonder of the Day®, Landon! We really appreciate your comment!
Is there a way you can tell me how to put Mr. Bones back together again? I tried. I only had a few left. Do you have a picture that has labels.
Have a fantastic day…hold on, wait. Do you have a wonder on wonderopolis or can you because I am going to vacation on Friday so can you do it on Thursday? ps I LOVE WONDEROPOLIS.
It makes us so happy to hear that you love visiting Wonderopolis, Kelly! Woo, hoo! A future Wonder about Wonderopolis sounds like a GREAT idea! Thanks so much for suggesting it! We’re glad you tried putting Mr. Bones back together! Keep trying…you will get him back into a SUPER skeleton soon!
Hi wonderopolis. This is my last comment and the last time I’ll
visit this place, so good bye.
Hello, Rithik! Thanks for leaving us a comment today! We think you are an AMAZING Wonder Friend and we really enjoy hearing from you! We hope you will visit us again sometime super soon and learn some FUN new things with us!
Why is it called a funny BONE when it is a nerve?
Hey there, great question, Alexis B! Check out the excerpt from our Wonder… we think you’ll find your answer here:
“The ulnar nerve is the largest unprotected nerve in the body. Unlike most other nerves that are protected by muscle or bone, the ulnar nerve sits on top of the hard part of your elbow where there’s usually not much fatty tissue to cushion it.
As a result, the ulnar nerve is easy to ding by bumping it against something. When this happens, the ulnar nerve is pressed against the nearby humerus bone, which is the long bone that goes from your elbow to your shoulder.
Bumping your “funny bone” like this doesn’t do any damage to your elbow or the ulnar nerve, but it sure feels weird! You can usually feel the sensation primarily in the areas controlled by the ulnar nerve: your pinky and ring fingers.”
That’s good to know now. Thank you for telling me!
Alexis B!!!!
We’re happy to help, Alexis! Thanks for asking!