This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Ohio U chapter.
Having grown up in Cincinnati — and being a Girl Scout from Daisy through Senior — I only ever knew of one set of names for the delectable cookies. The concept of a second company was something I was aware of, however, I had no clue until I came to college that there were different names for all these cookies.
The ABC bakers gave the cookies basically literal names. Nothing creative about Peanut Butter Patties nor Shortbread in my cookie collection. However, whenever I seem to bring up these names to anyone who is not from Cincinnati, I receive stares like I have two heads. And since Ohio University has a large population of Clevenlanders in its midst, I receive said stare more often than not.
A couple years back, the Little Brownie Bakers bought out ABC Bakery — and took my childhood Girl Scout cookies with them. Alas, to make the transition period smoother for those of us who had to learn new names, the boxes said both names on them such as Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs or Shortbread/Trefoils. These “classic” names still baffle me to this day; it’s been difficult understanding that Samoa isn’t a person, but rather a scrumptious Caramel deLite.
Even here in Athens, no one has been safe from this devastating name switch. When seeing the little Brownies selling cookies in front of the bookstores, I politely ask for some Caramel deLites and immediately get a response from the mother “Do you mean the Samoas?” While I understand the woman is just politely correcting the name for me, it’s also frustrating. I grew up with Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, etc. Having to learn the new names when I am no longer a Girl Scout doesn’t help me remember them any better.
So, in the few short weeks when cookies will be showing up at your door steps, please know that to kind of quote Shakespeare, a cookie by any other name would taste as sweet, if not sweeter.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE NAMES
Peanut Butter Patties = Tagalongs
Samoas = Caramel deLites
Trefoils = Shortbread
Do-Si-Dos = Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Thin Mints = Thin Mints