Flake

Slang. Adjective. Flake is a title applied to people who exhibit "flakey" behavior, which is simple unreliability in regards to social responsibilities. General unreliability includes flakeyness, but involves more; a flake merely fails to recognize their social responsibilities to others, while an unreliable person will often disappoint even themselves. This term also sometimes applies to professional unreliability, where the work involves some social element, resulting in an unfair responsibility distribution.

This can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including laziness, selfishness, a lack of respect, or a variety of manipulative personality disorders.

It is important to note that genuine inability is not actual flakeyness, and the assumption of such is an act of ignorance. A person who is not a flake will consider the consequences of their inconsistency, make a reasonable attempt to inform those it affects as early as possible, and likely attempt to make amends for their failure at a later date. A person who actually has some disability affecting their memory is also not a flake; irresponsibility is not their choice.

Jack and I were told to rake scrap from the work yard. Jack was fine before that, but suddenly got sick and had to go home. Then I had to do it myself. That flake came to work the next day just fine.

Jill asked Tom on a date to see a movie, and Jack agreed. Tom never showed up and wouldn't answer any calls. When she asked him what happened in person, he said he forgotten he had to play poker that night. The flake also missed our poker game.

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