flaky
or flak·ey
[fley-kee]
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Origin of flaky
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for flaky
Contemporary Examples
It is the “glue that holds often flaky single malts together,” as Broom puts it.
Its flaky and slightly burned crust was reminiscent of crème brulee.
The phyllo cooks until golden, crisp, and flaky, and the cheesy spinach filling is addictive, to say the least.
Historical Examples
It was brown as to crust, and flaky and light as to interior.
In the Midst of AlarmsRobert Barr
If properly made, it will be light and flaky, and the suet imperceptible.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
Plainer tartlets may be made with short, flaky, or other pastry.
The Skilful CookMary Harrison
The cake came out of the oven light and flaky and beautiful.
The Goody-Naughty BookSarah Cory Rippey
His biscuits came to the table hot and flaky, his bacon was done to a turn.
The HighgraderWilliam MacLeod Raine
flaky
- like or made of flakes
- tending to peel off or break easily into flakes
- Also: flakey US slang eccentric; crazy
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for flaky
adj.
1570s, 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 "eccentric person" is a 1968 back-formation from it.
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]
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper