crazy bone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MediumInformal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “crazy bone” mean?
The common name for the ulnar nerve at the elbow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The common name for the ulnar nerve at the elbow; a sharp, tingling pain felt when it is bumped.
Any source of acute, jarring discomfort or a situation causing sudden, unpleasant surprise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
"Crazy bone" is far less common than "funny bone" in both regions but is occasionally heard, especially in the US. In the UK, "funny bone" is overwhelmingly dominant.
Connotations
Slightly more folksy, humorous, or childish than "funny bone." May imply the sensation is more startling or bizarre than merely "funny."
Frequency
Much less frequent than the standard "funny bone." Its usage is sporadic and often considered a quaint or playful variant.
Grammar
How to Use “crazy bone” in a Sentence
[Subject] hit/struck/banged [Possessive Pronoun] crazy bone on [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crazy bone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in informal conversation; the anatomical term "ulnar nerve" is used in formal contexts.
Everyday
Used casually to describe the physical sensation or metaphorically for a sudden shock.
Technical
Not used; replaced by precise anatomical terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crazy bone”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crazy bone”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crazy bone”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with "funny bone" as a distinct anatomical term rather than a variant name.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a colloquial, folk-etymology variant of 'funny bone.' The correct anatomical structure is the ulnar nerve where it passes near the elbow.
Yes, though it's rare. It can describe something that delivers a sudden, jarring, or unpleasant surprise, akin to the physical sensation.
For clarity and wider understanding, 'funny bone' is the recommended choice in almost all informal contexts.
Both regions strongly prefer 'funny bone.' 'Crazy bone' is a sporadic variant heard slightly more in American English, but it remains non-standard and less common in both.
The common name for the ulnar nerve at the elbow.
Crazy bone is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Crazy bone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkreɪzi bəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkreɪzi boʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That news hit me like a crazy bone. (metaphorical extension)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sensation makes you jump and act a little 'crazy' for a second.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SUDDEN SHOCK IS A BLOW TO THE CRAZY BONE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard, more common term for 'crazy bone'?