Inflammable vs. flammable

[Cardimon, Craig]

Have I ever told you my gas station story? If so, you may stop reading
now.

 

This occurred several years ago, and the vendor in question has been
bought many times, sat closed for quite a while, and finally opened anew
recently.

 

I was pumping my own gas at this business when the very young attendant
came out and asked me if I could help him read something. Thinking the
item in question might be smudged printing or something, I agreed.

 

We came upon two groups of tanks. One group held propane. I don't recall
the other group. One group was labeled, you guessed it, "Flammable." The
other, "Inflammable." He asked me which group of tanks wouldn't blow up,
and which one he had to be careful with. 

 

I replied he had to take care with both groups of tanks, and that
flammable and inflammable meant the same thing -- they could catch fire.

 

Gulp. I left as quickly as I could. 

 

Craig Cardimon

Technical Writer

Marketing Systems Group

ccardimon at m-s-g.com