2006-06-13 11:32:32 · 12 answers · asked by liquid_ice_71 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Because th English language is weird.
2006-06-19 09:49:35 · answer #1 · answered by i'm_a_goodie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Flammable and non-flammable are correct when related to combustible materials. The Military and Safety regulations use this form. The term inflammable, although it may be applied in a similar fashion, is derived from the word, INFLAMED for reference to medical conditions affecting the skin or some body part.
An inanimate object could never be Inflamed.
2006-06-14 03:34:57 · answer #2 · answered by CurlyQ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usage Note: Historically, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing. However, the presence of the prefix in- has misled many people into assuming that inflammable means “not flammable” or “noncombustible.” The prefix -in in inflammable is not, however, the Latin negative prefix -in, which is related to the English -un and appears in such words as indecent and inglorious. Rather, this -in is an intensive prefix derived from the Latin preposition in. This prefix also appears in the word enflame. But many people are not aware of this derivation, and for clarity's sake it is advisable to use only flammable to give warnings.
2006-06-13 11:38:58 · answer #3 · answered by j_ardinger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inflammable means can be burned or capable of being inflamed. Flammable also means the same.
2006-06-13 12:12:52 · answer #4 · answered by dina0712 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the word inflammable was once used to explain that a substance was easily ignited. because many people were confused by the in in inflammable, it was changed to just plain flammable.
in most schools, they still teach that inflammable means easily ignited, because, a lot of the msds papers for substances still say that.
2006-06-13 11:54:49 · answer #5 · answered by iamamidnitoker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with most here, except it's perfectly logical to park on a driveway as you have to drive to reach it, and the parkway is a road through park-type land (or in Britain a railway station with parking facilities).
2006-06-14 04:03:23 · answer #6 · answered by ivallrod 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the same reason we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway. The english language doesn't make any sense.
2006-06-13 11:42:02 · answer #7 · answered by Auti 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its like breeding and inbreeding one is more complcated than the other but still end with the same result
2006-06-14 07:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by GRUMPY /UK 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't.Flammable means it burns. Inflammablemeans it's explosive.
2006-06-13 11:40:45 · answer #9 · answered by howlettlogan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So that either way, you'll get the message and be careful.
2006-06-13 11:37:20 · answer #10 · answered by R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋