baker's dozen

a baker's dozen

Thirteen; one more than a usual dozen (12). When Jacob went to the bakery to buy doughnuts for the office, he made sure to get a baker's dozen so he could sneak one to eat on the way to work.
See also: dozen
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

baker's dozen

Thirteen, as in The new bagel store always gives you a baker's dozen. The origins of this term are disputed. One theory is that in times when bread was sold by weight, bakers who short-weighted their customers were heavily fined, and for safety's sake they would sell thirteen loaves for the price of twelve. Another theory is that dealers purchasing bread from bakers were allowed by law to receive thirteen loaves for the price of twelve, the thirteenth representing their cut of profit. [Late 1500s]
See also: dozen
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

baker's dozen

Thirteen. The source of this term is a law passed by the English Parliament in 1266, which specified exactly how much a loaf of bread should weigh and imposed a heavy penalty for short weight. To protect themselves, bakers would give their customers thirteen loaves instead of twelve, and in the sixteenth century this came to be called “a baker’s dozen.”
See also: dozen
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • baker
  • a baker's dozen
  • a long dozen
  • long dozen
  • baker's half dozen
  • banker
  • a banker's dozen
  • half a dozen
  • by the dozen
  • by the dozens
References in periodicals archive
As to whether the baker's dozen will continue to be involved in the future, there's already talk of a naked manatee sequel, but Barry says Booger's days of fame are most likely over.
Getting naked in South Florida
Fortunately, Caine has made her baker's dozen easy to snack midstream.
Caine, Rachel. Bitter Blood: Morganville Vampires, Book 13
WESTBORO - The Training Associates has for the sixth consecutive year been named to HRO Today Magazine's Baker's Dozen Top Learning Providers List.
Westboro-based Training Associates named to magazine's `top providers' list
Whether he's father to seven kids or to a baker's dozen isn't the point.
Feckless father is not alone
Which is: a University of Texas Press baker's dozen. Dave Hamrick, associate director/sales and marketing manager for the Press, has generously donated 13 new or recent releases, including the forthcoming collection of New Yorker writer Calvin Trillin's pieces about Texas, Uchi: The Cookbook (featuring recipes from the amazing Austin restaurant), The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology and the 35th anniversary Austin City Limits coffee table book.
T-Squared: Our Second Monthly QRANK Winner is..
He has taken 48 wickets in that baker's dozen of appearances, an impressive tally considering that only one of those Tests has been played at home, when he picked up five scalps against the West Indies at Brisbane last year.
It looks like time for a big bet on Big Ben; MATCH BETS
Redding, CA, November 17, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Pre-employ.com a leading provider of outsourced HR, onboarding, screening and post-employee relationship services has been named to the HRO Today magazine's 2010 Baker's Dozen: Top Screening and Assessment Providers.
Pre-Employ.com Named a One of the Nation's Top Service Providers for Screening of Employees
Keith Ellis Commercial real estate advisory firm Studley has hired a "baker's dozen" of new people since unveiling its new Midtown office earlier this year -- and a source close to the company says it isn't slowing down as it fills out its new, 61,000-square-foot space.
Studley shuffles in staff
A baker's dozen of young people are celebrating the news that they have successfully graduated from the Young Bakers Academy run by the University College Birmingham.
A baker's dozen of young people; THRIVE
Tharp's Brief Fling and Baker's Dozen, and Balanchine's Ballo della Regina and Theme and Variations, return as well.
ABT fetes Tudor
When I was at school, we learnt nothing of the subject per se but I am sure that in studies of sciences, history and general knowledge, including my own choices of reading, I did at quite an early age know of Murdoch, Trevithick, Boulton, Watt, Arkwright, Bramah, Brunel, Stephensons father and son, Mitchell, Camm, Gresley, Churchward, to pick a quick baker's dozen.
Who are these engineers?
How many items are in one dozen plus one baker's dozen?
Pyramid pawer
Ponchos & Wraps: A Baker's Dozen (1933064013, $15.95) presents a wide range of poncho styles for knitters, displaying both finished products on models and the close-ups of pattern charts which lend to their creation.
XRX Books Inc
Louis-based Pulitzer put itself up on the sales block last summer and its baker's dozen of daily papers and more than 100 weeklies drew interest from many players.
DEALS IN BOSTON, ST. LOUIS INCH FORWARD
Available in plain and cinnamon flavors, Minis are sold in the fresh section in bags of 13--a real baker's dozen, notes the Mountain Lakes, N.J.-based company, which also recommends the product for children and the chronically time-pressed.
Mini mouthfuls