why do they call animal crackers crackers? when they are actually cookies?

I think I heard this discussed on the Food Channel. As I remember, the "original" animal crackers come from Great Britain. Baked treats that Americans know as cookies were called crackers in Britain at the time. American producers have kept the name "crackers" despite a recipe type that we would normally call a cookie here in the States.

I could be dead wrong, but this is what I think I remember.

They seem more like cookies to me as well. Crackers sounds more healthy than cookies. Maybe it sounds more healthy?? :)

they not cookies, they're cracker shape like animal.

because they are shaped like certain animal and their crackers