Can you explain?

[rj1948]

Baker's dozen is 13.
Why13?

[bhaisahab]

Baker's dozen is 13.
Why13?

Hi rj,

This comes from an alledged practice whereby if one went to a bakers shop to buy a dozen bread rolls the baker would put in an extra one free, making 13.
This has never happened to me.

[David L.]

This was to guard against any chance of shortchanging the customer, such as charging for 12, but inadvertently miscounting and putting in eleven. So he would pop in an extra one 'just to be sure'. Any baker caught shortchanging could face the axe, so it was not pure generosity or good customer service on the part of the baker!