Burning questions !

[Gelert]

How come 'flammable' and 'inflammable' mean the same thing ? For example ; 'escapable' and 'inescapable' are opposites. The opposite of 'flammable', however, is 'non-flammable'. How come, and what's the opposite of 'inflammable' ? Is it 'non-inflammable' ? Too many questions ! Even I'm confused.

[RevShirls]

You'll find more information here about flammable and inflammable: http://www.future-perfect.co.uk/word20.htm The opposite of flammable is exactly as you say: non-flammable

[Gelert]

Excellent ! Thankyou very much. This has always seemed a very dangerous confusion, especially as I have to explain it to my junior staff on a frequent basis. I work in a chemical laboratory. :)

[Drewhound]

As a matter of interest is "escapable" in the major dictonaries? I shouldn't think it's in common usage

[Quizmonster]

It's certainly in both the OED and Chambers, Drewhound. Rarely used, though, I'd imagine, as you suggest. Perhaps it'll go the way of 'kempt' and other such words.

[thewillow]

What about cleave and cleave?

[Bernardw]

Cleave and cleave are well known opposites, but how about here in Thailand where klay means near and klay means far?