A Baker's Dozen Is Thirteen for a Reason
A dozen is twelve. The baker's dozen of thirteen exists because medieval bakers faced harsh penalties for short weight.
A dozen is a group of twelve. The baker's dozen of thirteen was insurance, not generosity: medieval English law set punishments for selling underweight bread, so bakers added an extra loaf to every twelve to be certain no customer could claim short measure. The thirteenth loaf was cheaper than the fine. Twelve survives as a counting unit because it divides evenly by two, three, four and six, which ten does not.
- Twelve. *A dozen eggs.*
- Baker's dozen — thirteen. *A baker's dozen.*
- Dozens of — many. *Dozens of people.*
- Gross — twelve dozen, 144. *A gross of pencils.*
- Old French — *dozaine*, twelve. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | dozen | One dozen. |
| Plural | dozen | Two dozen eggs. |
| Plural | dozens | Dozens of them. |
| Compound | baker's dozen | A baker's dozen. |
| Related | gross | A gross. |
- Buy two dozen eggs.After a number, no s.
- Dozens of complaints arrived.Indefinitely many: with s.
- A baker's dozen is thirteen.The extra loaf.
Why twelve is a good number
- Divides by 2, 3, 4 and 6 without remainder
- Ten divides only by 2 and 5
- Twelve inches to a foot, twelve months, twelve hours on a clock
- A gross is twelve dozen, 144
- Old British money used twelve pence to the shilling
Old French *dozaine*, from *doze*, twelve, from Latin *duodecim*, from *duo* plus *decem*.
Why is a baker's dozen thirteen?
Medieval bakers faced heavy penalties for selling underweight bread, so they added an extra loaf to each twelve as insurance.
Is it two dozen or two dozens?
Two dozen. The plural s appears only in vague use, as in dozens of people.