Science Memes

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[Partially incorrect, see comments.] Pens in Space (mander.xyz)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [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.