this post was submitted on 14 Apr 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 533 points 1 week ago (36 children)

The reason not to use pencils in Space wasn't that Pencil are inflamable, the main reason was the graphit dust produced by Pencils, which because of the lack of gravity, enter floating in the electronic, causing short circuits as main risk.

[–] copd@lemmy.world 9 points 6 days ago (3 children)

Genuine question. why did you choose to use "inflammable" instead of "flammable"?

[–] Manticore@lemmy.nz 7 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days 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.

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] pewgar_seemsimandroid@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] FrankenSpinach@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Oh dear, the internet is leaking again.. Call the locksmith 🗣️

[–] Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

inflammation, inflamed, inflammable

inflammable = easily ignited

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