How the Cookie Crumbles
A tough cookie is a person you don’t need to worry about, because you know they’re strong and can endure hardship. This reminded me of another idiom: smart cookie. That’s a clever person, whom you also don’t have to worry about, because you can count on them to make the right decision. It’s always “oh don’t worry about her, she’ll be alright, she’s a tough cookie,” and “don’t worry about him, he’ll figure it out, he’s a smart cookie.”
In the 1920s, “cookie” was used as a positive slang word for a young woman, but smart cookies and tough cookies can be either male of female. I have no idea where these cookie idioms came from and what these admirable human traits have to do with cookies. But you have to agree that it’s kind of cute calling people cookies. Out of all of the old-school and outdated idioms on this list – I think this one is really due for a comeback.