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Misunderstanding the meaning of inflammable could lead to more than just an awkward moment in conversation with your English professor.
Flammable and inflammable are often confused terms. Some mistakenly think they are opposites, but both actually refer to something that can catch fire.
Inflammable comes from the word 'inflame' (sometimes written as 'enflame'), which predates the word 'flammable.' The prefix 'in-' here is often misinterpreted as the negative prefix, similar to the Latin 'un-' (as in inconspicuous, inescapable, or indestructible). However, in 'inflammable,' the 'in-' originates from the Latin prefix 'en-' meaning 'to cause (a person or thing) to be in'—as seen in words like enslave or encourage.
To clear up the confusion surrounding the term 'inflammable,' the National Fire Protection Association recommended in the 1920s that Americans adopt 'flammable' to prevent misunderstandings and potential fire hazards, as they feared people might think inflammable meant non-burnable.
Though 'flammable' became widely used, misunderstanding persists. Always remember, inflammable and flammable are synonymous—understanding this could potentially save your life.
