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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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Failsafe versus Foolproof
torpeau
Left coast of FL
97 Posts
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1
2011/08/21 - 7:45am
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I see these two words used interchangeably, but I don't think they are interchangeable. Here was the title for an article in yesterday's FT: "Buying a property near London's Olympic site is a failsafe investment, right?" Seems to me that they should have used "foolproof." To me "failsafe" means that if you fail to do something, there is an automatic default to a safe condition.

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2011/08/21 - 3:22pm
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I agree with you on all points.

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3
2011/08/27 - 7:49pm
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I agree. Also, as I understand it, "foolproof" is an adjective that generally refers to procedures; "failsafe" is a noun that generally refers to Plan B (e.g. safety nets, belaying lines, lifeboats).

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