Everything but the kitchen sink was first used in the early 1900s and in print in 1918 in the Syracuse Herald. During World War II, the phrase gained popularity when everything but the kitchen sink got thrown at the enemy.  Today, the phrase means almost everything one can think of, which is exactly what goes into Everything but the Kitchen Sink cookies. So if you've ever wondered what are kitchen sink cookies, now you know it's the perfect combination of everything in your pantry.  We love these cookies because of the salty and sweet balance and how all the ingredients come together for a crunchy but soft dessert.