Searching for a delicate way to describe a difficult personality, I recently called someone a tough cookie. It hadn’t occurred to me until that moment what an insult that expression is – to both the person and one of my favorite treats. I mean, who wants anything to do with a tough cookie? A cookie should deliver a bit of sweet wrapped up in a tender, crispy or gooey package. But tough? No thanks.

So when I described this person (who shall remain nameless, but no, of course not you) in this way, I was literally saying, “I thought you would have been good, possibly great, someone I clearly would enjoy and now I see that I was deceived by your appearance of being enticing. I was tricked, you are not good, in fact you are worthless, not even worthy of being put on the day-old sale rack of being merely stale.”

What I really meant in this current circumstance was that this person was a shrewd negotiator. Next time I will be more clear, in deference of to my adoration of cookies and to be more sensitive to others. In the meantime I will try to use a much preferable expression that honors both food and person.

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year, sweetie pie.