almost always “able to be unlocked”. “not able to be locked” is usually “non-lockable” or “not lockable”.
If you can’t unlock it, is it really a lock?
both, but not at the same time. words change meaning with context. thats why there often are several definitions of a single word.
Are we just making up language rules as we go?
Yes, throughout history, in fact.
And to answer the meme’s question, it can have either definition based on the context of usage.
Non-lockable feels like the right term.
‘Un-’ directly implies undoing, an action. ‘Non-’ implies a status, a non-possibility.
That’s my two cents.
Illockable
Unconceivable.
You keep saying that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means.
Both definitions refer to the same thing, right? A locked lock is unlockable. It cannot be locked further, AND it can be unlocked.
Vice versa for the unlocked lock.
Depends on the cawntex
Yep. Language can be funny like that. You are either modifying the adjective “lockable” with the prefix “un-”, or you are modifying the verb “unlock” into an adjective by adding “-able” at the end. Words can have multiple definitions, yay!
Unlock-able versus un-lockable
That’s mental bracketing for you.
TIL the thing I do when I’m trying to understand an ambiguous sentence has a name
Unlockable ass-lock
Is that ass on lock for being unlockable, or is that lock ass for being unlockable?
Sokath, his eyes uncoverable.
Redminds of the German “umfahren” (run over) which is the exact opposit of “umfahren” (drive around). (First is pronounced with a tiny pause after the second letter; the other is not.)
Even better is “Haare wachsen lassen”. One meaning is letting your hair grow, the other is waxing your hair. Pronounced exactly the same
Locks should always be able to be reversed. Locking something is restricting access, not denying it entirely. You don’t weld a door shut and call it locked.
Poe didn’t write a tale about Fortunato being locked downstairs.
“Sealed”, “buried”, “entombed”, “immured” - all perfectly good terms for closing access to something with the intent of the closure being permanent.
The issue is the fact that the opposite action of locking is called unlocking and not something like delocking.
Can we discern via stress?
UNlockable - can be opened.
unLOCKable - cannot be lockedCurse you! 🙃
