TheRealNotJolene's definitions
adjective | ˈri-kə-tē
Background:
“Rickety” traditionally describes something physically unstable or poorly constructed—like an old, creaky chair or a shaky bridge. But in recent slang use, it’s been repurposed to describe people, especially in dating and relationship contexts, who are emotionally unstable, unreliable, or toxic. The term was popularized from a funny autocorrect mishap where “rickety” replaced a swear word perfectly capturing the vibe of someone flaky and inconsistent.
This word resonates because it conveys not just instability but also the idea that the person might look okay on the surface but will collapse under pressure—making it a perfect metaphor for toxic, cheating, ghosting, or breadcrumbing behavior.
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Definition:
adjective | ˈri-kə-tē
Slang – Describes a person who is emotionally unstable, inconsistent, toxic, flaky, and untrustworthy. This includes behaviors like ghosting, breadcrumbing, manipulating, gaslighting, cheating, lying, and any other form of relationship nonsense that causes drama and heartbreak.
🛠️ Think: a rickety old bridge — looks like it might hold, but give it a little weight and it collapses.
Opposite:
Solid. Respectful. Faithful. Emotionally available. Honest. 😇
Background:
“Rickety” traditionally describes something physically unstable or poorly constructed—like an old, creaky chair or a shaky bridge. But in recent slang use, it’s been repurposed to describe people, especially in dating and relationship contexts, who are emotionally unstable, unreliable, or toxic. The term was popularized from a funny autocorrect mishap where “rickety” replaced a swear word perfectly capturing the vibe of someone flaky and inconsistent.
This word resonates because it conveys not just instability but also the idea that the person might look okay on the surface but will collapse under pressure—making it a perfect metaphor for toxic, cheating, ghosting, or breadcrumbing behavior.
⸻
Definition:
adjective | ˈri-kə-tē
Slang – Describes a person who is emotionally unstable, inconsistent, toxic, flaky, and untrustworthy. This includes behaviors like ghosting, breadcrumbing, manipulating, gaslighting, cheating, lying, and any other form of relationship nonsense that causes drama and heartbreak.
🛠️ Think: a rickety old bridge — looks like it might hold, but give it a little weight and it collapses.
Opposite:
Solid. Respectful. Faithful. Emotionally available. Honest. 😇
• “Her whole vibe is rickety—can’t trust a word she says.”
•“Don’t even bother—he’s rickety.”
•“He promised to call, then ghosted for three days straight. So rickety.”
•“That relationship was rickety from the start, full of lies and cheating.”
•“She was rickety with her feelings—one minute hot, next minute cold.”
•“Rickety energy is exhausting. I’m done playing emotional rollercoasters.”
•“If they’re rickety, don’t waste your time trying to fix them.”
•“They said they were all in, then disappeared and I found out they were cheating. So rickety.”
•“I’m done with rickety people. Give me someone built on a solid emotional foundation.”
•“He’s rickety — always lying and disappearing when things get real.”
•“She’s rickety with her feelings, constantly playing mind games.”
•“Don’t even bother—he’s rickety.”
•“He promised to call, then ghosted for three days straight. So rickety.”
•“That relationship was rickety from the start, full of lies and cheating.”
•“She was rickety with her feelings—one minute hot, next minute cold.”
•“Rickety energy is exhausting. I’m done playing emotional rollercoasters.”
•“If they’re rickety, don’t waste your time trying to fix them.”
•“They said they were all in, then disappeared and I found out they were cheating. So rickety.”
•“I’m done with rickety people. Give me someone built on a solid emotional foundation.”
•“He’s rickety — always lying and disappearing when things get real.”
•“She’s rickety with her feelings, constantly playing mind games.”
by TheRealNotJolene July 20, 2025
Get the Ricketymug.