what do you want, a cookie

English

Alternative forms

• you want a cookie?

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈwɒt də ju ˈwɒnt | ə ˈkʊki/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈwʌt də jə ˈwɑnt | ə ˈkʊki/, /- ˈwʌnt -/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Phrase

what do you want, a cookie?

1. (rhetorical question, sarcastic) A retort to someone who has done something unsurprising or unimpressive and has deemed it necessary to mention it.
   • 1994, R. Jeffrey Ringer, Queer Words, Queer Images: Communication and Construction of Homosexuality, →ISBN, page 230:

     "I was straight to the point - "Laurie, I'm gay." "Bernard, I've known that for a long time. So, what do you want, a cookie? Now deal the cards!"

   • 2001, Mary Rogers, Drop Your Webbings! (from Class Acts: High School Plays by High School Writers →ISBN by Randy Lee Hartwig), p.30

     DOLL. Buzzet attacked me last night. I have scars! Look at my arm! And my hair is flat too!

     SPIDER. What do you want a cookie?

   • 2004, James H. Taylor, Curiosity Killed the Chelsea Boy, →ISBN, page 153:

     "I wait for ju, five minute," He says. "Well what do you want, a cookie" I tell him and he looks at me like he does not understand."

   • 2006, Antonio Garza, The House with the Magic Cellar: Realm: I, →ISBN, page 103:

     "The way I see it, I'm already doing all the work, and I'm doing the spells and incantations," stated Bowolf. "So what do you want, a cookie?" laughed Prolok.

   Synonym: what do you want, a medal?

Related terms

• ally cookie
• do you need an invitation