A Baker's Dozen: Definition, Meaning, and Origin

Last Updated on
September 15, 2023

"A baker's dozen" is an idiom that means 13 of something, usually baked goods. It implies that the baker is giving you one extra item for free or as a goodwill gesture.

In short:

  • It is an idiom that means 13 of something, usually baked goods.
  • It is often used to express generosity, abundance, or a bonus.

What Does "A Baker's Dozen" Mean?

"A baker's dozen" means a group or set of 13 items, especially loaves of bread, cakes, or pastries. It implies that the baker gives you one extra thing for free or as a goodwill gesture. For example, buying a dozen donuts from a bakery might get 13 instead of 12. That would be a baker's dozen.

Where Does "A Baker's Dozen" Come From?

The origin of the phrase "a baker's dozen" dates back to medieval times, when strict laws were regulating the weight and quality of bread. Bakers often added an extra loaf to their batches of 12 loaves to avoid being accused of fraud. This extra loaf was called the "vantage loaf," as it served as a cushion or insurance in case other loaves were too light. It also represented the retailer's profit or the customer's bonus. The phrase developed figuratively through the years to mean any collection or quantity of 13 things unrelated to baking.

Historical Example

The phrase "a baker's dozen" first appeared in print in 1599, in a play called Tu Quoque by John Cooke. In the play, a character says:

"Mine's a baker's dozen: Master Bubble, tell your money."

10 Examples of "A Baker's Dozen" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use the phrase in sentences:

  • Despite the lousy weather, she bought a baker's dozen cupcakes for her son's birthday party.
  • Never mind. He had a baker's dozen reasons why he couldn't attend the meeting.
  • Oh, snap. The teacher gave us a baker's dozen homework assignments over the weekend.
  • I have a baker's dozen friends tagging along for the evening out in the city.
  • She collected a baker's dozen shells from the beach while basking in the sun.
  • No mean feat. He scored a baker's dozen goals in the soccer season.
  • Yaas. She's been reading a baker's dozen of novels since her vacation.
  • He had a baker's dozen of tattoos on his arms, and it honestly looks good.
  • She planted a baker's dozen of roses in her garden. It's part of her daily grind.
  • No diggity. He won a baker's dozen of awards for his work. Great job!

Examples of "A Baker's Dozen" in Pop Culture

This idiom has also been used in various forms of popular culture, such as:

  • A Baker's Dozen: The Best Children's Stories from Britain and Ireland: A collection of stories edited by Aidan Chambers and published in 2001.
  • The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale: A children's book by Aaron Shepard and Wendy Edelson, published in 1995. It tells the story of how Saint Nicholas taught a greedy baker a lesson about generosity.
  • The Baker's Dozen: A Colonial American Tale: Another children's book by Heather Forest and Susan Gaber, published in 1998. It is based on an old legend from Albany, New York, about how a mysterious woman helped a baker improve his business by giving him 13 cookies instead of 12.
  • The Baker's Dozen: A Counting Book: A picture book by Dan Andreasen, published in 2007. It features illustrations of different types of baked goods and animals corresponding to the numbers from one to 13.

Other/Different Ways to Say "A Baker's Dozen"

If you want to use a different expression than "a baker's dozen" to mean 13 of something, you can try some of these synonyms:

  • Thirteen
  • A dozen plus one
  • A long dozen
  • A devil's dozen
  • A witch's dozen

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "A Baker's Dozen"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:

  • What does "a baker's dozen" mean?

"A baker's dozen" is an idiom that means 13 of something, usually baked goods. It implies that the baker is giving you one extra item for free or as a goodwill gesture.

  • What is the origin of the phrase "a baker's dozen"?

The origin of the phrase "a baker's dozen" dates back to medieval times, when strict laws were regulating the weight and quality of bread. Bakers often added an extra loaf to their batches of 12 loaves to avoid being accused of fraud.

  • How do you use "a baker's dozen" in a sentence?

You can use a baker's dozen in a sentence as a noun phrase that follows a determiner (such as a, the, my, your, etc.) or a number (such as one, two, three, etc.).

  • What is the difference between "a baker's dozen" and a regular dozen?

"A baker's dozen" is 13 items, while a regular dozen is 12 items.

  • Why is "a baker's dozen" called "a baker's dozen"?

"A baker's dozen" is called "a baker's dozen" because it originated from bakers adding an extra loaf of bread to their batches of 12 loaves to avoid being punished for selling underweight bread.

  • Is "a baker's dozen" always 13, or can it be 14?

"A baker's dozen" is usually 13, but sometimes it can be 14, depending on the baker's generosity or the loaves' size.

  • Is "a baker's dozen" only used for baked goods, or can it be used for anything?

"A baker's dozen" is mainly used for baked goods, but it can also be used figuratively for anything in groups or sets of 13.

  • Is "a baker's dozen" a positive or negative expression?

"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.

  • How do you write "a baker's dozen" in numbers?

You can write "a baker's dozen" in numbers as 13 or 14, depending on how many items are included.

  • How do you say "a baker's dozen" in other languages?

Spanish: "una docena de panadero"
French: "une douzaine de boulanger"
German: "ein Bäckerdutzend"

Final Thoughts About "A Baker's Dozen"

"A baker's dozen" is an idiom that means 13 of something, usually baked goods. It originated from a medieval practice of bakers adding an extra loaf to avoid being punished for selling underweight bread.

More key points to remember about this idiom:

  • It is used to express generosity, abundance, or a bonus.
  • It can also be used figuratively for any collection or quantity of 13 things.
  • It has some related expressions that have similar or opposite meanings.
  • It has been used in various forms of popular culture, such as books and TV shows.
  • It has some synonyms that can be used interchangeably.

We encourage you to share this article on Twitter and Facebook. Just click those two links - you'll see why.

It's important to share the news to spread the truth. Most people won't.

U.S Dictionary is the premier dictionary about the English language as used in the United States of America.
Copyright © 2024 - U.S. Dictionary
Privacy Policy
magnifier