It was always originally “inflammable”, as in “able to be inflamed”. It wasn’t until cargo warning placards came around (for trains, I’m sure), that the meaning got muddled up with “unable to be brought to flame”.
There was an official agreement to create the word “flammable”, and use that on warning placards instead.
“‘Inflammable’ means ‘flammable’? What a country!”
It was always originally “inflammable”, as in “able to be inflamed”. It wasn’t until cargo warning placards came around (for trains, I’m sure), that the meaning got muddled up with “unable to be brought to flame”.
There was an official agreement to create the word “flammable”, and use that on warning placards instead.
It’s an old Simpsons quote, from Dr. Nick, a great side character.
I knew it was a quote from somewhere, I just didn’t care. ;)