Carborundum can be in both states.
It is a pseudo latin phrase (usually "nil bastardum carborundum" - but probably more correctly "illegitimi nil carborundum"?) meaning - don't let the bastards grind you down...
Illegitimi non carborundum
The cast of Nil Carborundum - 1962 includes: Graham Crowden John Thaw
yo mama lol
It's emery.
Steels are commonly used, but I have a set of different carborundum stones on handles which are much more efficient.
This compound is the silicon carbide, SiC.
# A decorative crystals sapphires # As an abrasive carborundum.
A silicon carbide quandary -- a carborundum conundrum
Illegitimi non carborundum is nonsense. It pretends to mean "Don't let the bastards wear you down." Mixing up fake Latin from English words for comic effect is called "macaronics."
Don't let the bastards get you down! (Pigeon Latin)