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A Cheez-It cracker.

Crackers as part of a snack with herring.

A cracker is a dry, thin, crispy, and usually savory biscuit that developed from military hardtack and nautical ship biscuits. Biscuit means 'cook twice'.

In 1801 Josiah Bent began a baking operation in Milton, Massachusetts, selling "water crackers" or biscuits made of flour and water that would not deteriorate during long sea voyages from the port of Boston. The crackling sound occurred during baking, hence the name. This is where the American term "cracker" originated. His company later sold the original hardtack crackers used by troops during the American Civil War. The company is still located in Milton and continues to sell these items to Civil War reenactors and others.

The holes in crackers are called "docking" holes. The holes are placed in the dough to stop air pockets from forming in the cracker while baking.

In U.S. English, the name "cracker" is most often applied to flat biscuits with a savory, salty flavor, in distinction from a "cookie," which may be similar to a "cracker" in appearance and texture, but has a sweet flavor. Crackers sometimes have cheese or spices as ingredients, or even chicken stock. Some crackers are salted, flour products.

Brands including Captain's Wafers, Club Crackers, Town House Crackers, Ritz Crackers, Cream crackers and Water biscuits are used spread with cheese, pâté, or mousse.

Saltine and oyster crackers are often used in or served with soup.

Mock apple pie is made from Ritz (or similar) crackers.

Animal crackers are the subject of debate as to whether they are cookies, or crackers. One side states that they are a cracker, an exception to the rule-of-thumb "crackers are salty/savory; cookies are sweet." Plus, the manner in which animal crackers are made (layered dough) classifies them as crackers. However, the sweet taste and texture of the dough would lead the other side to believe that they are, in fact, cookies. Some animal crackers contain trace amounts of meat and are unsuitable for vegetarians.

Graham crackers and digestive biscuits are also eaten as cookies, although they were both invented for their supposed health benefits.

A popular snack is crackers with cheese as a topping.

• Website of Bent's Cookie Factory in Milton, MA, purveyors of "water crackers" and hardtack during the American Civil War
• Pop Art Pewter Crackers

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