Why is a baker's dozen 13 and not 12?

Answer 1

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 shortchanged 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. The practice could be seen in the guild codes of the Worshipful Company of Bakers in London.

Answer 2

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 shortchanged 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. The practice could be seen in the guild codes of the Worshipful Company of Bakers in London.

Answer 3

In the days of yore, many, many decades ago, it was the custom that if you ordered 12 (a dozen) bread rolls - for example- from a baker, he would pop in another one as a sign of good-will. Times long gone by.

Answer 4

Back in medieval times, the village baker would take the flour from his customers and bake their bread for them. For every 13 he baked, he would return 12 and keep 1 as his fee.

Answer 5

I read one of the answers, and I agree. I think bakers used to put in an extra of whatever they baked to be friendly or something like that.

Answer 6

When bakers were asked for a 'dozen' loaves or whathaveyou they would bake an extra one just incase one got lost or didn't rise properly etc. as there used to be severe penalties for bakers who would short change their customers.

Answer 7

Because one extra was meant for the baker to eat as a test for the quality of whatever was baked.

Answer 8

German law. If a baker was caugh stiffing someone on the weight of an item, big trouble.

A 13th item protects against that mishap

Answer 9

Back in the day, bakers used to get charged if they supplied rolls which weren't a certain weight, so they used to add in an extra one to make sure!

Answer 10

It's a 'bonus' item for giving the baker your business.