The Term Inflammable - Essay Example

In the usage, and ordinarily in English. When the prefix ‘in’ is introduced before the main word stem, then the word created would be understood to mean the opposite of the original word (Kearns 34). In this ordinary sense, the term ‘inflammable’ would be understood to mean a substance that does not catch fire easily or non-combustible.

This is because the original word, before the addition of the prefix, is ‘flammable’ and means that which catches fire easily. Secondly, the term ‘inflammable’ originated from the word ‘inflammable’. It is not clear whether the term ‘inflammable’ is a French or Latin word. It is, therefore, not clear where the origin of this term is, thereby making it difficult to establish the exact meaning of the word. The only sure way of establishing the right meaning of this word is by attaching the prefix ‘in’ before the original word stem and giving it a negative meaning.

In addition, when it comes to the current views and uses of the term, it is restricted within a given range of circumstances, which ensures that the common confusion, and especially that which can cause injury to life, does not arise. In this respect and because the term refers to what causes destruction when mishandled the “flame”, the term has been widely used in non-technical and figurative contexts. An example could be in a general speech where a speaker could be said to ignite inflammable emotions in the crowd.

The other term ‘flammable’ which has the same meaning as ‘inflammable’ is used with a lot of ease in technical circumstances. An example is when giving warnings to vehicles ferry substances that easily catch fire. It is in this regard that I find it unsuitable that, two terms with the same meaning, i.e. the synonyms should have different inclinations and orientations in use. These circumstances also help to reveal what the meaning of the term ought to be. To the question of misconceptions and closely related to the context used above, there is the misconception that the two terms, ‘inflammable’ and ‘flammable’ are opposites of one another (Marsh 10).

In fact, that is why; there is a risk in using ‘inflammable’ to warn of combustible substances. This is because there is a misconception that it would mean ‘non-combustible’. Further, it is ascertained that ‘inflammable’ carries with it more risk of confusion than the ‘flammable’ yet they are synonyms. To understand further the term, one needs to know what combustion and the ease with which some substances are easier to burn than others. When the meaning of non-combustible is adopted, some of the things which can be referred to as inflammable include; stones soil glasses.

These substances do not catch fire easily. From the discussion, it is safe to conclude that the above terms should not be used synonymously, but as opposites of each other. Further reading and study should be conducted to find a different use of this term ‘inflammable’. In my view, it should mean ‘non-combustible’, the exact opposite of ‘flammable’.