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by SCRRBC on May 15th, 2008

SCRRBC

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The phrase "hit a nerve" means to bring up a sensitive subject. I would like to know the origin of this phrase.

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  • by Essence on May 15th, 2008

    Essence

    There are dozens of places in the human body where nerves come close to the surface; the most well-known are the "funny bone" and the male scrotum.

    When fighting someone, hitting a nerve produces a shocking and usually unexpected effect not commensurate with the force the blow was delivered with. The sensitivity of nerves (and thus, their choice as targets of the less honorable of fighters) is the origin of the phrase "hit a nerve".

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