This week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase Tough Cookie. Bonus: The Yellow Pages, Resilient Kids, and Anthropomorphic Desserts
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Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 289: Tough Cookie
Record Date: August 10, 2025
Air Date: August 23, 2025
Intro
Dan:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase.
I’m Dan Pugh
Shauna:
And I’m Shauna Harrison
Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.
Opening Hook
You hear cookies and you might imagine chocolate chips, a warm oven, and maybe a glass of milk on the side. You probably aren’t picturing someone who could take a punch… figuratively or otherwise. But when I was little and fell down while riding my bike, then popped back up to keep going… my dad would sometimes say, “She’s one tough cookie.”
Meaning
According to Cambridge Dictionary, tough cookie means:
Quote
a person who is able to deal with difficult situations and not be easily defeated, frightened, or upset
End quote
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/tough-cookie
If you were playing D&D, as a tough cookie, you would have a higher level of Constitution.
Cookie - c1700
It’s fairly straightforward. But one of the key words is less consistent. The word cookie started showing up in English to refer to a smallish baked item around 1700. Now, this definition is a little bit long but it’s important to clarify the meaning of the term in a few English-speaking parts of the world.
Oxford English Dictionary tells us that a cookie is,
Quote
Any of various small cakes, buns, or sweet biscuits; specifically
(a) (Scottish and Irish English (northern)) a plain bun;
(b) (chiefly North American) a sweet biscuit; †
(c) (South African) a flat cake or bread roll baked on a griddle or in the hot embers of a fire (obsolete).
In North America biscuit is used to refer to a small, round cake similar to a scone, whereas cookie is the usual term for the flat, sweet, crisp or chewy items known outside of North America as biscuits.
Outside of North America cookie is now also used to refer to sweet biscuits having a fairly soft, chewy texture and to crumbly biscuits containing chocolate chips.
Examples:
black and white cookie, butter cookie, chocolate chip cookie, fortune cookie, Girl Scout cookie, sandwich cookie, spritz cookie, sugar cookie, etc.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/cookie_n?tab=meaning_and_use#8309775
By the way, the OED has a separate entry for Chocolate Chip Cookie… which I absolutely love.
600s ?
What’s Cooking America shares some information on early cookies in the article, History of Cookies. Here are a few snippets including the belief that the first cookies date back to the 600s.
Quote
In America, a cookie is described as a thin, sweet, usually small cake. By definition, a cookie can be any of a variety of hand-held, flour-based sweet cakes, either crisp or soft. Each country has its own word for “cookie.”
…
According to culinary historians, the first historic record of cookies was their use as test cakes. A small amount of cake batter was baked to test the oven temperature.
The earliest cookie-style cakes are thought to date back to 7th century Persia A.D. (now Iran), one of the first countries to cultivate sugar (luxurious cakes and pastries in large and small versions were well known in the Persian empire).
End quote
https://whatscookingamerica.net/history/cookiehistory.htm
1700
Oxford English Dictionary provides one entry for the term cookie in slang,
Quote
Originally U.S. A person of a specified kind.
Usually with preceding adjective expressing a positive quality,
especially in smart cookie, tough cookie.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/cookie_n?tab=meaning_and_use#8309775
So the OED identifies the term cookie as being the slang term with the adjectives being different add-ons. We’ll focus on tough cookies…
Cookie has also been used as slang for other things in the past century, including a certain type of aerial bomb since the 1940s and in the phrase ‘to toss, shoot, or blow one’s cookies’ to refer to the unfortunate situation when a person vomits.
More recently, cookies became the little packets of data that get passed around between your devices and internet servers.
But I’d prefer we stick to the tasty or positive cookies. So let’s jump ahead to the last century… that is, the 1900s.
1913
In the Cheyenne State Leader, out of Wyoming, US, we find the phrase used in the issue dated 11 April 1913.
Quote
He was told that he never would have gotten close enough to lay a hand upon the rough tough cookie, if the said rough tough cookie had had his gun with him.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/cookie_n?tab=meaning_and_use#8309775
I tried to find the full story on this one… because it sounds like a fun one to read!
1917
Harry S Truman used the term in a Letter dated 8 November 1917 which started, Dear Bess. Here is the excerpt,
Quote
He's a hard-boiled cookie.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/cookie_n?tab=meaning_and_use#8309775
Gotta love Truman. He never just said things the way most people were saying it. It’s like a one-up… he’s not just tough… he’s hard-boiled. It’s got mad film noire vibes. Which honestly, the term cookie being used to describe a person just feels like it belongs in the noir genre.
1927
The Double Crisis: This Man Discovers that the West Had Put Its Fine, Clean Brand on His Neglected Soul by Raymond Richards is a short story published in the 1927 edition of Munsey’s Magazine.
Quote
"There was that spring," Harkins said reflectively, "when Seth was made foreman of the X-Bar. Or, lemme see, was it the O-Bar-O?"
"The X-Bar," James Sill replied quickly. "Go on."
"That would be old man Stays's outfit. He was a tough cookie, was old man Stays!
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Munsey_s_Magazine/g5bNAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22tough%20cookie%22
In this part of the story, the man was recalling a friend who had covered for the loss of their big boss’s horse… Seth was the friend and old man Stays was the big boss. Seth did indeed cover for the man but lost his new exciting foreman job in the process.
1936
Next, here is an excerpt from Vogue magazine from 1936. We only have a partial segment, so we are starting mid-sentence.
Quote
… man and a tough cookie even if did speak in blank verse. A good guy, with hair on his chest. You girls are always pretending to prefer those softies who part their hair in the middle, quote Proust, and tango without looking harassed, but that's because there are only eleven men on a football team, and they go fast. The whole thing is ridiculous.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Vogue/yVbrEf13KYQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22tough+cookie%22&dq=%22tough+cookie%22&printsec=frontcover
Perhaps some magazines haven’t changed much over time. Though, I’m not sure… I never really read Vogue.
1945
In the Congressional Record for the House in the United States, dated May 16, 1945, we find a quote from the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Short. Here is part of what he had to say,
Quote
Do not think that General Eisenhower ever gave any sanction to the coddling of these prisoners. My colleagues who were with me will tell you that when we were at Rheims we spent the whole afternoon with General Eisenhower and with Maj. Gen. Lucian Clay, who is going to be the military governor over there. He is a pretty hard-boiled, tough cookie. He is the right guy for the job.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Congressional_Record/Jbn_SOsPV8cC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22tough+cookie%22&pg=PA4674&printsec=frontcover
I thought it was interesting to see hard-boiled brought back for this one, along with tough. He did also mention Truman in one section of his comments - which take up four pages.
1949
Under the CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, JOINT COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC ENERGY, Washington, D. C., we can view the official documentation for the INVESTIGATION INTO THE UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY PROJECT dated Monday, June 13, 1949. Here is a response from Dr. Oppenheimer,
Quote
That is one of the factors. I think that it can be put awfully simply: When the war was over most scientists hoped, as did most Americans, that we would not have a cold war next, but that we would have peace. And that year, during which the Commission was being established and the law written, was also the year in which it was becoming clear that we were not going to have peace, and that we were going to have to have a lot of talented young American scientists working on atomic energy problems for destructive purposes.
I do not believe that you could have expected a very flourishing performance between the summer of 1945 and the fall of 1947. And it was not the intention of the General Advisory Committee, nor mine, to reflect on the administration of the project then, but only to indicate that what the Commission inherited was a tough cookie.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Investigation_Into_the_United_States_Ato/is1FAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22tough+cookie%22&pg=PA311&printsec=frontcover
That’s a pretty intense topic but a good usage of the phrase applied to an idea or object as opposed to a person.
1968
The phrase appears in a 1968 ad in LIFE magazine for The Armstrong Rubber Company.
Quote
Armstrong has a new cool tire--a wide track made with fiber glass. It may look fat, but its as tough as nails and can give you over 40,000 miles of safe driving.
Ever since they were introduced a few years ago, wide track tires have been the hottest things going.
…
Fatso.
A tough cookie, available only at your Armstrong dealer.
He's in the Yellow Pages.
End quote
https://books.google.com/books?id=Sj8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=%22tough+cookie%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjjl_P_voCPAxWAmSYFHXp3H2AQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=%22tough%20cookie%22&f=false
I found this ad pretty entertaining… a look back at a different time but not really that far back. We’re going to read a little bit more about these fancy new tires… how they hug corners like a bear… and more in our behind the scenes which airs every Friday on Patreon. Visit Patreon.com/BunnyTrailsPod.
We have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors.
A Quick Thank You
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Modern Uses
1980
Tough cookie appears in the opening line of the one of the most recognizable rock songs by one of the greatest female vocalists of the late 1900s… Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar was released in 1980. Here are some of the lyrics,
Quote
Well you're the real tough cookie with a long history
Of breaking little hearts like the one in me
That's okay, let's see how you do it
Put up your dukes, let's get down to it
Hit me with your best shot
End quote
https://youtu.be/rXs9MXrHxVE?si=ha4wJccNW4aA-qLp
1999
The book Tough Cookie by David Wisniewski was published in 1999. To get a really good idea of this story, let’s take a look at the review from the School Library Journal,
Quote
Film noir informs Wisniewski's narrative and artwork in this hard-boiled crime story, which details life in "the Jar," where cookies prosper or perish "based on freshness and quality." The Bogart-like narrator, whose chocolate chip-pocked face is half-hidden by his yellow trench coat and fedora, has been around long enough to lose his soft spots. "They call me a tough cookie," he begins. "I guess I am. Came from a regular batch. Lots of dough." Now he's at the bottom of the Jar with a bunch of crumbs. To make matters worse, a blonde bombshell named Pecan Sandy has some bad news about his ex-partner, Chips. Seems Chips has tussled with Fingers, a giant human hand that occasionally reaches into the Jar. The tough cookie knows he must someday fight Fingers himself; luckily, Pecan Sandy mobilizes hundreds of unappreciated crumbs for the final battle. Wisniewski, who satirized cloak-and-dagger conspiracies in The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups, effectively lampoons the detective genre. He achieves a different effect with his signature cut-paper illustrations by shading them with colored pencil, and fittingly connotes the gritty subterranean cookie world. The perfectly crisp edges of his artwork in books like Workshop here take on gradations, with folds as rumpled-looking as the narrator's trench coat, off-setting the character's purportedly hard edges. A parting shot of a Robert Mitchum-esque silhouette of the hero and his girl will satisfy any sweet tooth. Ages 6-up.
End quote
(Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/tough-cookie_david-wisniewski/416146/item/34668974/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_childrens_used_nca_22862047405&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22858211957&gclid=Cj0KCQjwndHEBhDVARIsAGh0g3AzXgLFBJR6ijTIfrsVq6GXM_bWmDniCVzVGn_84-UrvKILUbx71DsaAkLOEALw_wcB#idiq=34668974&edition=3326967
2022
Tough Cookie is a song by Olivia King released in 2022. Here are some of the lyrics,
Quote
Trying to impress me I’m a tough cookie
Messing with a pro I’m far from a Rookie (yeah I’m far from a rookie)
Don’t take it personal but babe you doin’ the most
You messin’ with a tough cookie yeah
End quote
https://youtu.be/6CQfiHe-QSg?si=8VB8WPVz4AaBHTzn
2022
Tough Cookie is a paper collage artwork by Joanne Donnelly of the United States created in 2022. Here is a little about the piece by the artist,
Quote
Tough Cookie is a collage of hand painted and found paper from the series, "Wondrous Woman" celebrating the strength, courage, and determination of women throughout history who stood up for themselves despite discrimination, abuse and sexism. This image is of any particular woman per se but a composite of many women I have known.
End quote
https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Collage-Tough-Cookie/15694/9351563/view
This piece is really neat. I often feel like collage works are done almost like mosaics whereas this is predominantly larger pieces that are layered and in areas painted to created this portrait. It’s really neat.
2023
Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story is a 2023 book written and illustrated by Edward Hemingway. Here is a synopsis from the publisher,
Quote
When a cookie discovers he does NOT taste delicious, he has to find a new identity in this clever picture book twist on a holiday classic.
Once upon a time, while Fox was visiting the land of Holiday Treats, a little cookie—still warm from the bakery oven—burst out the front door looking sweet and ready to be devoured. But, as it turns out, Cookie is not as fast as he thinks and when Fox finally catches him, they’re both in for a big surprise: Sugar Cookie does not taste delicious—and he’s certainly not fit to be eaten. What’s an unsavory cookie to do? Is there another option for this not-so-sweet treat?
This inventive story celebrates the joy of being accepted for who we are.
End quote
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tough-cookie-edward-hemingway/1127457442?ean=9781250895059&gQT=2
This one is a combination… book and artwork. The illustrations are cute for this little tough cookie story.
2025
Tough Cookie is a song by ZICO featuring Don Mills. ZICO is well-known by some from his part in the group Block B. His first solo rap track, the song Tough Cookie was released in 2025. Here is the chorus,
Quote
I’m not your friend
And I’m not your family either
I’m not your peer
Chew me wrong and all your teeth might fall out
Cause I'm a TOUGH COOKIE, TOUGH COOKIE, TOUGH COOKIE
End quote
https://youtu.be/jPbQUkIVdVk?si=d3-YRL7yie6cZzd5
The chorus has a good beat and he brings it back to end the song with a nice repetition. I could see this one working well in a club.
Current
Tough Cookie Travel is a website dedicated to helping women travel safely. Here is their mission as shared from the creator,
Quote
I love to travel, like many other women+. But traveling solo as a woman+ can be difficult and dangerous. And the options for resources to help us better equip ourselves are severely lacking.
Do a quick search for personal safety or self defense books on Amazon and notice how all of the top results are written by men. Even the ones geared towards women+ ...
There’s something wrong with this picture. So I created Tough Cookie to do something about it.
I’ve created the ultimate travel safety website, complete with my own tried and true safety tips, recommended tools, and a new approach to self defense training. The real ladies’ version. Designed by a woman who has actually been through it too and knows what you’re going through. I built this for my fellow women+ like you who deserve travel safety and self defense tips, tools, and training as complete, comprehensive, and authentic as you are.
Here at Tough Cookie, we’re doing personal safety differently.
End quote
https://toughcookietravel.com/about/
I like this… great thing to share with others.
Current
One Tough Cookie: Custom Cookies by Sarah creates custom sugar cookies. Here is a little bit of Sarah’s story and why she chose the name.
Quote
My cookie decorating journey began as a child, decorating Christmas cookies with my mom every year. Along came Pinterest and helped me to develop my own decorating style and desire to hoard cookie cutters and constantly try new techniques. Our youngest daughter, Vivian, was born in 2014 with a long list of medical complexities and continues to need around the clock care. I had to quit my job to be her full-time nurse/care-giver. She has had over 60 surgeries in her little life, mostly on her brain, abdomen and heart. The name One Tough Cookie was inspired by her and her will to persevere through anything thrown her way-- she is seriously the most amazing and inspiring girl ever.
End quote
https://www.onetoughcookie.biz/
Also… her cookie designs are pretty impressive.
Wrap up:
If we're talking dessert, I'll take my tough cookie with a cup of coffee. The sweetness will still be there. It's sort of a cute phrase, isn't it? And I think that’s what I love most about it... it's praise without pretension. A tough cookie doesn’t have to prove it’s strong; it just keeps holding together, even when things get difficult. And that resilience, the internal fight to keep getting back up, isn't weakness. It's very human, very real. It’s the kind of strength I admire... the quiet, steady kind. That's the kind of strength you find in a tough cookie.
Shauna:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod, or comment on our website, bunnytrailspod.com
Dan:
It’s poll time!
Recently we asked our Patrons, Would you rather be the best player on a team that loses all the time, or the worst player on a team that wins all the time?
This was a close call, with being the best player on a losing team winning out 60%/40%.
Shauna:
JGP said:
Quote
I don't do sports at all, but I think I'd feel guilty if I were the worst performing one all the time. I think it'd be much more fun to be the best since then I wouldn't be letting my teammates down.
End Quote
That’s a valid point from JGP. I have been in both positions. And I enjoyed both for different reasons. What I’ve found, though… is that I like playing on a team but one that is more of a collaboration than a continual joined effort. So I like golf, relay races, etc. Sports where you do your own part and it contributes to the team winning.
Dan:
Mary said:
Quote
It was a hard choice because it is fun to win and also fun to be the one everyone looks up to. I have been the best one on losing team and that sucks so I am going with the worst on a winning team and assume I’ll spend most of my time on the bench and hurt no one.
End Quote
I've never been the best player of anything at anything, which suits me fine because it seems being the best comes with all the pressure. Since I'm not an overly competitive type, I'd be fine with either situation. But I think I'd pick “worst player on a winning team” because someone else WILL be super competitive about it and even if I'm the best player I might get blamed for losing. Truthfully, I'd rather be a middle-of-the-road player doing my part regardless of our wins/losses record.
As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!
Outro
Dan:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember,
Together:
Words belong to their users.
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