this post was submitted on 14 Apr 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Genuine question. why did you choose to use "inflammable" instead of "flammable"?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Inflame was the original word for 'to ignite' - to set aflame, to set on fire. We still see if in metaphor, 'inflammatory argument' or 'inflamed passion', for example.

So an inflammable object was one you can inflame (or enflame). The word 'flammable' came about later, probably to reduce confusion for people who thought it mean 'un-flameable'.

These days we use flammable on labels for safety reasons, but inflame is still peppered throughout language in metaphor and medicine, and both are correct.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Oh dear, the internet is leaking again.. Call the locksmith 🗣️

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

inflammation, inflamed, inflammable

inflammable = easily ignited