text: spall (spɔl) n.1. a chip or splinter, as of stone or ore.v.t.2. to break into smaller pieces, as ore; split or chip.v.i.3. to break or split off in chips or bits.[1750–60; orig. uncertain; compare late Middle English spalle a chip]Also known simply as spall, spalling is a term used to describe the process that occurs when flakes are separated from some type of larger body of material. The separation can be caused by many different factors, including the natural process of weathering, corrosion, continual friction, or a direct impact with another object. Sounds like exactly what the man said it was.