transmission flare, what is it? Do I have it?

[odie]

What exactly is transmission "flare"? I think my 190D 2.2 might have it.

I see lots of posts that refer to this symptom but no actual description of this event.

My 190 has some strange shifting...but without understanding the "special terms" it's hard to diagnose or us the search function usefully

It's like it's starting in 2nd gear (it is supposed to start in 2nd?), shifts to 3rd, then suddenly back to 2nd at a high RPM and kinda "hangs" there until shifting back to 3rd again kinda hard and finally to 4th....is this the "flare"

But if I am gentle with the throttle, it seems to shift normally up to 4th.

There is a linkage that crosses over the valve cover from the throttle to a cable (bowden cable?) that I presume goes to the transmission. This linkage is two pieces that loosely slide together with about 1-2" of movement and there is an adjustment of some type at one end to change the length of this rod but does not change the sliding action of this rod....is this sliding supposed to happen or are the fasteners loose and allowing sliding where none should be?

Any good write ups of the 190 diesel transmission linkage & adjustments?