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Not quite. There are a few theories as to why a baker’s dozen became 13, but the most widely accepted one has to do with avoiding a beating. In medieval England there were laws that related the price of bread to the price of the wheat used to make it.
You’ve probably come across the phrase “baker’s dozen” once or twice in conversation or on The Great British Baking Show. We all know how important numbers are in the baking process — exact measurements are key—but what’s so special about the baker’s dozen?
A baker’s dozen is 13 (or, more rarely, 14). What's the origin of the phrase 'Baker's dozen'? It’s widely believed that this phrase originated from the practice of medieval English bakers giving an extra loaf when selling a dozen in order to avoid being penalized for selling short weight.
What is a baker’s dozen, and why does it equal 13? Here's the story behind why bakers give out an extra roll—a tradition from medieval times that lives on in our modern world.
Specifically, in terms of the “baker’s dozen”, if a vendor or other customer were to order a dozen or several dozen loaves of bread from a baker, the baker would give them 13 for every dozen they ordered.
There are a few theories as to how a baker’s dozen became thirteen. But the most widely accepted is that bakers would throw an extra loaf into orders of a dozen to avoid a flogging. In medieval England, there were strict laws controlling the price of bread.
From medieval grifts to changing legal standards, uncover the fascinating origin of the baker's dozen and why it strayed from the usual amount.
"A baker's dozen" is usually a cheerful expression, implying generosity, abundance, or a bonus. However, it can also be used humorously or ironically for something unlucky or unpleasant, such as a devil's dozen or a witch's dozen.
The phrase a baker’s dozen, which means thirteen, is first recorded in Greenes Tu quoque, or, The cittie gallant (London, 1614), a comedy written by the otherwise unknown playwright John Cook and staged at the end of the reign (1558-1603) of Elizabeth I: – Staines. Come Gentlemen, heere’s dice.
The meaning of BAKER'S DOZEN is thirteen. How to use baker's dozen in a sentence.