What do you call a person who doesn't/can't usually keep his/her word ?
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1What about traitor? – Stan Mar 11 '14 at 14:41
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I'm not sure but I think you should check out "disloyal" or "not trustworthy" – PbxMan Mar 11 '14 at 15:28
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Actually I wanted to put more emphasis on "CAN NOT" portion of my question. A person who CAN NOT keep his word. Traitor sounds intentional and disloyal as well. "RENEGER" as mentioned in another post sounds quite close to what I want - maybe so – Tanvir Mar 11 '14 at 16:08
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A "politician". – d'alar'cop Mar 12 '14 at 3:42
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Related. – tchrist♦ Jun 7 '14 at 20:55
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A liar if you want a simple term.
If it is someone who regularly makes promises and doesn't live up to them they are a renegger.
You may also see a moderately offensive (to some) term Indian Giver which is a reference to Native Americans. This term was very popular before the PC movement.
And if it is someone who doesn't pay their bets they are a welcher.
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1Liar implies deception when there may be none intended so I don't think that's a good fit, IMO. Indian giver isn't really appropriate either since it's not someone who backs out of a promise, it is someone who takes something back that they've given you (in its generally understood usage). Renegger and welcher are good, though! :-) – Kristina Lopez Mar 11 '14 at 15:08
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@KristinaLopez I would argue that not keeping your promises is a lie. It's not like you'd call this person a bald-faced liar, but you wouldn't call what they're doing truthful either. It's like a sin of omission, it's still a sin. – David M Mar 11 '14 at 15:18
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I would usually call them a Flake.
Edit:
Per David M's Request:
n. An unreliable person; someone who agrees to do something, but never follows through.
1. John called in sick to work again today. He's such a flake.
2. Mary said she would do the research for our project, but it's been a week and she hasn't done a thing. She's such a flake.
-5. slang chiefly ( US ) an eccentric, crazy, or unreliable person
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That is a good one, too. But, can you provide a definition or reference just for completeness. – David M Mar 11 '14 at 14:51
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Such a person is 'untrustworthy'
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A "welcher" is someone who backs out of a commitment. Since it's origin may refer to the Welsh people, this may be considered offensive.
Per Dictionary.com, from the verb "welsh" or "welch":
verb (used without object)
Informal: Sometimes Offensive.
to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt: You aren't going to welsh on me, are you?
to go back on one's word: He welshed on his promise to help in the campaign.
Origin: 1855–60; perhaps special use of Welsh
answered Mar 11 '14 at 15:02
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Yeah, Welsh bashing has been a major issue of late! ;-P Actually, this might make a great question: what are some commonly used terms with racist origins. – David M Mar 11 '14 at 15:22
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A promise-breaker would probably have the clearest meaning of them all, but it's not the 'one word' you might be looking for. Reneger is a good alternative.
