Something that tends to break into thin, flat pieces, or describing someone who is unreliable.
From 'flake' (Middle English from Old Norse 'flak,' meaning a thin piece) plus '-y' (making it an adjective). The word literally means 'having the quality of flakes.'
Flaky pastries like croissants and puff pastry work because layers of butter create steam pockets when heated—the flakes form from hundreds of tiny separated layers, which is why the exact temperature and folding technique matters so much!
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