A Baker's Dozen

A Baker's Dozen.

The expression "baker's dozen," which is in point of fact thirteen, has a history. For a baker in the olden times to give short weight in bread exposed him to considerable penalties, and thus the custom arose of adding an extra loaf to the dozen as compensation for any possible deficiencies in the rest of the batch. The extra article was originally a safeguard to avert the chances of a heavy fine.