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by HasntBeen on May 27th, 2009
Ouch! You got us. We been wasting a whole syllable for ... who knows how long! :)
by nice jugs on May 27th, 2009
i have a burning desire to answer this but just can't
by WeeWillyWinky on September 23rd, 2007
Inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible.” Inflammable is the older by about 200 years. Flammable now has certain technical uses, particularly as a warning on vehicles carrying combustible materials, because of a belief that some might interpret the intensive prefix in- of inflammable as a negative prefix and thus think the word means “noncombustible.” Inflammable is the word more usually used in nontechnical and figurative contexts: The speaker ignited the inflammable emotions of the crowd.
remember inflammable has in- which means 'into,' meaning it will burst into flame; non- in nonflammable means 'not,' meaning will not burst into flame
by Anonymous on February 9th, 2007
It seems odd, because I think we usually assume the prefix “in…” to negate the meaning of what follows.
I'm guessing here, but I think that in this case, the “in…” at the start of “inflammable” is not this prefix that we want to assume it is. I think that “inflammable” is based on the word “inflame” which means to set something on fire. Something that can be set on fire — something that can be inflamed — would therefore be inflammable.
by Barcaluv on February 9th, 2007
Good Question.
I have read that the word flammable is of relatively recent origin and has replaced inflammable specially in the USA, where people usually think that the Latin prefix in- (used here an intensifier) always means "not".
by gmeades on June 8th, 2008
No, it doesn't...
in·flam·ma·ble (n-flm-bl)
1. Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly; flammable
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/inflammable
Inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible.” Inflammable is the older by about 200 years. Flammable now has certain technical uses, particularly as a warning on vehicles carrying combustible materials, because of a belief that some might interpret the intensive prefix in- of inflammable as a negative prefix and thus think the word means “noncombustible.” Inflammable is the word more usually used in nontechnical and figurative contexts: "The speaker ignited the inflammable emotions of the crowd"...
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=inflammable
It's from the french or latin root words meaning "to set on fire"... ;-)
by Talimze on January 13th, 2008
Yeah. But, "inflammable" is meant to be used in a figurative sense, while "flammable" is more technical.
by Barcaluv on April 1st, 2007
There`s none. Check this similar question:http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/135892
by Kyogre-Stataen on April 1st, 2007
I don't think that there is a difference. They both are hazards to fire.
by kuyakev on February 9th, 2007
Flammable and inflammable both carry the same basic definition. Anything that is flammable and inflammable can react with oxygen and combust. Back in WWII military officials named flammable objects (i.e. fuel tanks as inflammable or fire-proof). Obviously the tank is inflammable, but the fuel is flammable. Inflammable is also a term to ease up the tensity of the word flammable. Most people percieve the word flammable as anything that could easily burn and possibly blow up.
by ptrask on November 17th, 2006
-adjective 1. capable of being set on fire; combustible; flammable.
2. easily aroused or excited, as to passion or anger; irascible: an inflammable disposition.
–noun 3. something inflammable.
[Origin: 1595–1605; < ML inflammabilis, equiv. to L inflamma(re) to inflame + -bilis -ble]
—Related forms
—Synonyms 2. fiery, volatile, choleric.
—Usage note Inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible.” Inflammable is the older by about 200 years. Flammable now has certain technical uses, particularly as a warning on vehicles carrying combustible materials, because of a belief that some might interpret the intensive prefix in- of inflammable as a negative prefix and thus think the word means “noncombustible.” Inflammable is the word more usually used in nontechnical and figurative contexts: The speaker ignited the inflammable emotions of the crowd.
The above from dictionary.reference.com
by anonymous on January 13th, 2008
Yes, they mean the same thing.
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/inflammable
The prefix "in-" usually negates whatever follows. I think this may be the only exception.
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on June 8th, 2008
That's right.
by iCringe 4 Love on January 13th, 2008
inflammable means doesnt catch on fire..... >.>
by Kewl Guy - has gone 360 on May 27th, 2009
just so you would ask that questions - it was predetermined
by Aquatic Eagle on May 27th, 2009
by anonymous on January 13th, 2008
No
by anonymous on June 8th, 2008
yes
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Comments
Unthank you. (smile) But don't you think it odd, eh wot! +6
by Polly Math on May 27th, 2009
Oh my!... I'm too late. Well, ya never know, it may come back.
http://www.healthline.com/search?q1=seeing+red+people
by Kravenhead on May 27th, 2009
Thanks anyway, Kravenhead. This is a question I actually asked for someone. Figures!
by Polly Math on May 27th, 2009
You're welcome... but I was addressing HasntBeen's earlier condition regarding red people... now he's breathing change... Oh my!! He's turned into a slot machine!! =0]
by Kravenhead on May 27th, 2009
I decided to get jealous of the clever things people put in their usernames. So far, it's working for me.
by HasntBeen on May 27th, 2009
=0].
by Kravenhead on May 27th, 2009
What ever butters your banana! =0D
by Kravenhead on May 27th, 2009
Oh, that's a good one. Gotta get that into production!
by HasntBeen on May 27th, 2009
hehe I thought I'd try for one more chuckle with it!:)
by Kravenhead on May 27th, 2009