-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.
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!
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.
Able was I ere I saw Elba.
Finally! I had to say it.
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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@Jordo, valid point about obtaining unobtainable from obtainable. However, English negation rules are far from straightforward and may deserve a separate quirky post.