These ones take the cookie

The cookie that started as an imitation but is now number one

Everyone loves a cookie. But which kind of cookie? The options are seemingly endless, but some are more loved than others. In some cases, it is the cookie itself that makes it a fan-favorite. In others, a particular brand recipe manages to beat the competition and secure the consumers’ loyalty. Here are some cookies that are a resounding success in America.

A staple for cookie enthusiasts, chocolate chip cookies have many versions and are distributed by many brands. A true American classic, they were invented (or at least, pioneered) in the 1930s by Ruth Graves Wakefield, who decided to add a chopped bar of Nestlé chocolate into her cookie dough. In exchange for printing the recipe in their packaging, Nestlé paid her $1 and a lifetime supply of chocolate.

The best-selling cookie in the world, Oreo was initially developed as a copycat of the then-popular Hydrox cookie. The marketing campaign was so successful that Oreo largely surpassed Hydrox, and some people nowadays believe Hydrox to be an Oreo imitation. The origins of the Oreo name are unknown, but it is today synonymous with fondant-filled chocolate cookies.

No one is really sure where these chewy, cinnamony cookies originated, but they have earned their place in the American cookie repertoire. The use of cream of tartar as its key ingredient makes the cookie dough slightly tangy and gives it a soft interior that sets it apart from other sugar cookies. The name ‘snickerdoodle’ is attributed to German or Pennsylvania Dutch origins, but some say it is just a nonsense word.

When a Girl Scout troop from Oklahoma decided to sell cookies as a fundraiser in 1917, they couldn't have imagined they were starting a million-dollar business. The varieties sold by the Girl Scouts have changed through the decades, but fan-favorites such as Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs have become permanent staples.

Graham Crackers are typically associated with pie crusts and s’mores, but did you know that they were developed as part of a temperance movement? That’s right, they were invented by Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham, who believed that a vegetarian, wheat-centered diet could help suppress devious urges. He created a plain, unsweetened, coarse cracker as a diet staple, without knowing it would become integral to many snacks and sweet treats.

Originally imported from Britain, these cookies were so popular in the late 19th century that imports were unable to keep up with the demand, so bakers started producing them locally. At the turn of the 20th century, they were rebranded as Barnum’s Animals to evoke the popular circus, a name they still use today, though the circus-inspired design has changed to reflect a more ethical treatment of animals.

Sweet and buttery, shortbread cookies are believed to be of Scottish origin, where they are associated with Christmas and New Year celebrations. Introduced in the U.S. by Scottish immigrants, they were made popular under the brand Lorna Doone at the beginning of the 20th century.

Developed in the 19th century by a German-American confectioner, these cookies might not seem much at first sight, but they have become a staple in the American cookbook. Originally sold as Vanilla Wafers, they became popular in the South as an ingredient for banana pudding, so much so that the recipe was printed on the box. In the 1960s, the name was officially changed to Nilla Wafers.

Named after the town of Newton, Massachusetts, these cookies were originally developed in Philadelphia as a copy of the British fig roll. Its creator, Charles Roser, used a machine that allowed him to extrude the cookie and the filling as one, in a continuous roll. He later sold his recipe to the Kennedy Biscuit Company, who popularized it under the Fig Newton name.

Another best-seller by Nabisco (the owner of Oreo), Nutter Butter is one of the most popular peanut butter sandwich cookies in the market. Besides being a peanut-lovers’ favorite, it has become synonymous with blood donations in the U.S, to the point that donations dropped substantially when the Red Cross stopped offering it to donors. Luckily, Nabisco committed to donating Nutter Butters for this purpose.

An imitation of Italian-style biscuits, Milano Cookies were developed by the Pepperidge Farm company as part of a ‘European’ cookie series. They have since become extremely popular and have expanded their flavor range beyond their original milk chocolate version. Each year, Pepperidge Farm introduces seasonal and limited-edition flavors based on consumer demand, such as Chai Latte, London Fog, or Café au Lait.

You name it!

What’s in a name? A whole lot of quirky sayings, it turns out

Image: Austin Kirk

Ever blurted out, "for Pete’s sake!" without knowing who Pete is? You’re not alone. Our language is full of expressions that borrow names to make a point, crack a joke, or politely curse. From daydreamers and show-offs to mystery women and psychological slip-ups, these idioms appear in everyday conversation, often without much thought. But once you notice them, they’re impossible to ignore. So, let’s meet the characters hiding in plain sight!

Image: Yuan Rong Gong

Poor Pete really can’t catch a break, huh? We call on him whenever we’re frustrated, flustered, or just fed up—usually without knowing who he is.

Most likely, "for Pete’s sake" popped up as a polite alternative to "for God’s sake," allowing people to vent without taking God’s name in vain. It has been in use since at least the early 1900s and still serves its purpose when your keys go missing or your computer freezes mid-email.

Image: Bruce Christianson

You’re halfway through folding laundry when you suddenly imagine accepting a Nobel Prize. Sound familiar? That’s a Walter Mitty moment.

The phrase comes from James Thurber’s 1939 short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, about a mild-mannered man who escapes his ordinary life through vivid daydreams. Today, it describes someone with big fantasies tucked inside a very ordinary life.

Image: jaikishan patel

If someone’s taking the Mickey out of you, there’s no need to get defensive—it just means they’re teasing. It’s British slang for good-natured ribbing, like when a friend jokes about your loud Hawaiian shirt. The phrase likely comes from Cockney rhyming slang: "Mickey Bliss." Confusing? Maybe. But the meaning is simple—it’s all in good fun.

Image: Alexander Grey

Ah, the Midas touch—something we all wish we had when investing or buying lottery tickets. King Midas, from Greek mythology, could turn anything he touched into gold. In modern talk, someone with the Midas touch just can’t seem to fail—business deals, side hustles, even daily tasks. Everything they touch flourishes. Of course, Midas’s gift was also a curse: imagine turning your dinner into solid gold. No, thank you!

Image: Virginia Berbece

Ever known someone who’s lovely at brunch and a storm cloud by dinner? You might have a Jekyll and Hyde person nearby. Naturally, the phrase comes from Robert Louis Stevenson’s story about a man with two sides: one refined, one monstrous. It’s a catchy way to describe mood swings or wildly different personalities in a single person. Are you one of these?

Image: Antonino Visalli

Larry must’ve had a good thing going, because being "as happy as Larry" means you’re in great spirits. No one knows exactly who Larry was, but many believe it refers to 19th-century Aussie boxer Larry Foley, who was wildly successful—and rich. The phrase took off in Australia and New Zealand, and it’s stuck around ever since. Whoever he was, we owe him a happy one.

Image: Victoriano Izquierdo

Ever been offered something with zero actual options? That’s a Hobson’s choice. It comes from Thomas Hobson, a 17th-century English stable owner who gave customers only one horse: take it or leave it. The term has come to mean any situation where you aren’t really given a choice—there’s only one road to take.

Image: Anthony Fomin

Jack the Lad is the guy who saunters into a room like it’s his stage. He’s brash, bold, and often charming in that roguish, slightly over-the-top way. The term comes from British slang and tends to describe a young man full of swagger and mischief. Not everyone loves a Jack the Lad, but you always notice when he walks in—probably because he makes sure of it.

Image: Jon Tyson

When a woman’s name is unknown or needs to be kept private—like in a legal case—she’s often called Jane Doe. It’s the female counterpart to John Doe, a term used for centuries in legal documents. Though these names may sound generic, they serve an important purpose: providing privacy, maintaining anonymity, or identifying someone when no real name is available.

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Saying "I love you" instead of "I like you"? Calling your boss "Mom"? That’s a Freudian slip. Named after Sigmund Freud, the idea is that these verbal mishaps can reveal hidden thoughts or desires. We’ve all experienced moments like this, right? They often happen at the worst possible times—job interviews, awkward family dinners, you name it. Freud would probably raise an eyebrow and say, "Tell me more."