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.
⸻
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. (n) Rickety ship is weed that has been vaporized in a vape, but is still smokeable through other means, such as a bong or a pipe.
"Yo dude, you got any fresh green bud to smoke?"
"Nah man, I've got some rickety ship left over from last night's vape session."
"Nah man, I've got some rickety ship left over from last night's vape session."
by Anonymous User96 November 10, 2012
Get the Rickety Shipmug. by The lord LR February 26, 2021
Get the Ricketymug. by SpookyJanglez October 29, 2023
Get the Rickety Screendoormug. Rickety with the negative connotation means that someone or something is either weird or distasteful.
Lawrence is rickety.
by Armin matei December 6, 2020
Get the Ricketymug. by BrandoFino April 18, 2019
Get the Rickety Titsmug. “Sorry I don’t have any change for that; rickety tick!”
“I’m not going to rickety tick today!”
“I hope this doesn’t end up all rickety ticky!”
“I’m not going to rickety tick today!”
“I hope this doesn’t end up all rickety ticky!”
by SE Hobart language school September 13, 2023
Get the rickety tickmug.