The Rice University Neologisms Database

flake (1)

1. noun; zero derivation
   Someone who often cancels on plans
    

   Flake can be used to refer to someone who cancels on plans, or the action of cancelling plans. It was most likely coined as a tongue-in-cheek insult, providing an insult for use in banter with someone who often cancels on plans. A person who is a flake is metaphorically like a small flake; easily influenced by outside forces and easily moved.

   Etymology : Formed by zero derivation of noun flake
   Source : “You’re such a flake. Just because you always say you’re 99% sure you can make it excuse you.” (Friend, October 2017)
2. verb; zero derivation
   To cancel on plans
   Etymology : Formed by zero derivation of noun flake
   Source : “The metric of the day for Barack Obama’s field team is “flake rate”: the percentage of supporters who had registered to attend his open-air stadium speech but won’t show up for one of the replacement events the campaign is scrambling to arrange in its place after moving tonight’s convention session indoors.” (Slate, What Obama Field Staffers Will Be Monitoring When You're Watching the Speech, September 6, 2012)