13
In the mid-13th century, British law imposed strict regulations on bakers regarding the weight of bread. Bakers wanted to make sure they complied, since the penalties were severe (a fine or the pillory, although nothing involving ears, so far as I know). It was difficult to make loaves of uniform weight in those days before automation, so bakers added a 13th loaf to every shipment of 12--better to be overweight than under. Thus "a baker's dozen" meant 13.
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbakersdozen.html
2006-10-02 05:25:53
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answer #1
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answered by Swirly 7
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2006-10-06 03:26:21
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answered by Anonymous
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2006-10-05 15:38:17
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answered by EdinItalia 3
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2006-10-05 11:46:27
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answered by eclferre 2
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2006-10-05 01:30:42
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answer #5
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answered by molly 2
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The answer is 13.
The oldest known source and most probable origin for the expression "baker's dozen" dates to the 13th century in one of the earliest English statutes, instituted during the reign of Henry III (r. 1216-1272), called the Assize of Bread and Ale. Bakers who were found to have short-changed customers could be liable to severe punishment. To guard against the crude punishment of losing a hand to an axe, a baker would give 13 for the price of 12, to be certain of not being known as a cheat. Specifically, the practice of baking 13 items for an intended dozen was to prevent "short measure", on the basis that one of the 13 could be lost, eaten, burnt or ruined in some way, leaving the baker with the original dozen.
2006-10-02 05:15:27
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answer #6
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answered by squirrellondon 4
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13
2006-10-02 05:07:51
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answered by MANC & PROUD 6
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2006-10-02 05:05:53
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answered by Andy P 3
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2006-10-02 05:05:13
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answered by blushlilac 3
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2006-10-02 05:02:56
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answer #10
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answered by Ben D 3
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2006-10-02 04:58:26
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answer #11
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answered by sue66fun 3
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