Without getting into a lengthy discussion of transitive and intransitive
verbs (which in my experience have never been clearly explained, anyway),
"LAY FLAT TO UNPACK" is correct.  My dictionary defines "lay" as ""to place
or rest on a surface," and defines "lie" as "to place or rest oneself in a
horizontal position."  So "lay" is what you do to the crate; "lie" is what
you do to yourself.

More interesting, in thumbing through half-a-dozen references, is the
varying degrees to which different sources go in defending this position.
Some declare all non-standard useage as "illiterate;" others argue that
people who actually speak the language use the words in a variety of ways.
Deal with it.

I say, as long as they open the crate in the proper way, it makes little
difference.

Eugene W. Dillenburg
Coordinator, Special Projects
Exhibits Department
The Field Museum of Natural History
Chicago, Illinois  60605-2496
V: (312) 922-9410 x636
F: (312) 922-6973
E: [log in to unmask]

"Never pay more than minimum wage for a shirt."

                                -- Bruce Elliott