Fortune Cookie
Definition: A fortune cookie is a thin, crispy wafer that is usually served in Chinese restaurants, especially in the United States. Inside the cookie, there is a small piece of paper with a message, a piece of advice, or a prediction about the future, which is called a "fortune."
Usage Instructions: You can refer to a fortune cookie when talking about dessert after a meal at a Chinese restaurant. It is often shared among friends or family, and people enjoy reading their fortunes aloud.
Example: "After we finished our meal, the waiter brought us fortune cookies. I opened mine and read, 'You will find happiness in unexpected places.'"
Advanced Usage: While fortune cookies are commonly associated with Chinese cuisine in America, they are not traditionally part of Chinese culture. The messages inside are often vague and can be interpreted in many ways, making them fun and interesting for people of all ages.
Word Variants: There aren’t many variants of the term "fortune cookie," but sometimes people refer to the message inside as a "fortune" or "fortune message."
Different Meaning: The term "fortune" can also refer to luck or wealth. For example, "She made a fortune in real estate" means she earned a lot of money.
Synonyms: There are no direct synonyms for "fortune cookie," but you might refer to it simply as a "cookie" when the context is clear.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "fortune cookie," but you could use phrases like "reading the tea leaves" (which means trying to predict the future) in a similar context.