Able Indeed

-ABLE

Now that’s a quirky suffix.

When it’s used, sometimes it just indicates a possibility…

Survivable = possible to survive it

Drinkable = possible to drink it

And other times it leaves no doubt…

Laughable = makes you laugh at it

Enjoyable = you enjoy it

No deep conclusion on this one, just an observation of this quirky linguistic back-flip.

Posted 16 Aug 2010

Comments

5 Responses to “Able Indeed”

Conall on August 16th, 2010 10:10 am

Very interesting. I see the point though. UNSTOPPABLE would certainly be a less significant word if it just meant there was only a possibility that the thing could not be stopped!
Jim on August 16th, 2010 10:42 am

It can also mean no doubt when it’s present and NO possibility when it’s not: UNOBTAINABLE –> UNOBTAIN

PS..unobtain is not a proper word.
Conall on August 16th, 2010 5:35 pm

Able was I ere I saw Elba.

Finally! I had to say it.
Jordo on August 17th, 2010 8:38 am

Its just a sign of the english language evolving. The word “jest” for instance used to mean a heroic act. Now it means a joke.

BTW, unoptainable is obtainable with prefixed with “un”. Not the otherway around.

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Jim on August 19th, 2010 11:26 pm

@Jordo, valid point about obtaining unobtainable from obtainable. However, English negation rules are far from straightforward and may deserve a separate quirky post.

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