[net.nlang] Fossil negations and "flammable"

rggoebel (12/29/82)

 I don't often respond to discussions in this group, but it's the "holidays,"
so I read about 'flammable' and recalled my favourite passage from White and
Strunk's "Elements of Style:"
 
  Flammable. An oddity, chiefly useful in saving lives.  The common word
   meaning "combustible" is 'inflammable' ['' is italics].  But some people
   are thown off by the 'in-' and think 'inflammable' means "not combustible."
   For this reason, trucks carrying gasoline or explosives are now marked
   FLAMMABLE.  Unless you are operating such a truck and hence are concerned
   with the safety of children and illiterates, use 'inflammable'.

Mine is the third edition, published in 1979 by MacMillan. The quote on flammable is from page 47.