Where does “rib-tickling” come from?

rib-tickling (English) comes from English RIB, from Middle English rib, from Old English ribb, from Proto-West Germanic ribb, from Proto-Germanic ribją, from Proto-Indo-European h₁rebʰ- — to cover, to roof; rib.

rib-tickling (English): Funny

Definitions

  1. Funny

Ancestry of “rib-tickling”, step by step

rib-tickling traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English RIB

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishRIBRigid inflatable boat — A lightweight inflatable...
2Middle Englishrib—
3Old Englishribbrib
4Proto-West Germanicribb—
5Proto-Germanicribjąrib; reef, ridge
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁rebʰ-to cover, to roof; rib

via English tickling

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishticklingpresent participle of tickle; That tickles; A...
2EnglishtickleThe act of tickling; An itchy feeling resembling...
3Middle Englishtiklen—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₁rebʰ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic ribją →Every word from Proto-West Germanic ribb →