flaky
pronunciation
How to pronounce flaky in British English:
UK [ˈfleɪki]
How to pronounce flaky in American English:
US [ˈfleki]
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- Adjective:
- made of or easily forming flakes
- conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
Word Origin
- flaky (adj.)
- 1570s, "consisting of flakes," from flake + -y (2). Meaning "eccentric, crazy" first recorded 1959, said to be American English baseball slang, but probably from earlier druggie slang flake "cocaine" (1920s). Flake (n.) "eccentric person" is a 1968 back-formation from it. Related: Flakiness. The term 'flake' needs explanation. It's an insider's word, used throughout baseball, usually as an adjective; someone is considered 'flaky.' It does not mean anything so crude as 'crazy,' but it's well beyond 'screwball' and far off to the side of 'eccentric.' ["New York Times," April 26, 1964]
Example
- 1. Flaky american futurologists aren 't always wrong .
- 2. A flaky charity world isn 't the only target for wood 's criticism .
- 3. Works on flaky scalp and dandruff .
- 4. Most of his opponents have been tied up in internal wrangles and flaky alliances .
- 5. Pastry is distinguished from bread by having a higher fat content , which contributes to a flaky or crumbly texture .