Baker's dozen

Definitions

• Quantity, generosity
  A baker's dozen refers to a quantity of 13 items instead of the standard 12, often as a gesture of generosity or good luck.

• Accuracy, perfectionism
  In some contexts, a baker's dozen can also refer to a group of items that are carefully selected and of high quality, emphasizing the baker's attention to detail and commitment to delivering the best product.

Examples of Baker's dozen

• When I asked for a dozen balloons at the party store, the clerk happily gave me a baker's dozen, with an extra blue one for luck.

  The term "baker's dozen" refers to receiving 13 items instead of the expected 12, as a form of a small bonus or extra.

• I thought I had ordered twelve cupcakes for the office, but when I opened the box, there was a baker's dozen, with a bonus red velvet.

  "Baker's dozen" is used to describe the act of giving an additional item beyond the usual dozen, in this case, an extra cupcake.

• During our meeting, Mike was generous enough to provide a baker's dozen of ideas when only a few were requested.

  The idiom is metaphorically used here to indicate that Mike offered more ideas than what was needed, equivalent to the extra item in a baker's dozen.

• The antique book collection was a real treat, especially since the seller threw in a baker's dozen, adding one rare edition to the set of twelve I'd purchased.

  "Baker's dozen" is used to indicate getting an unexpected bonus item, in this instance, an additional rare book.

• When I collected the custom t-shirts, I was surprised to find that the order included a baker's dozen, one extra shirt at no charge.

  In this context, the term expresses the provision of an additional t-shirt free of charge, embodying the concept of a baker's dozen.

• Before the bell, Ms. Robinson had handed out worksheets, accidentally giving a baker's dozen to the last table.

  The phrase is used to convey the accidental provision of one extra worksheet beyond the typical set of twelve.

• Her garden was in full bloom, and when she gave me a dozen roses, she winked and slipped in a thirteenth, a baker's dozen, as a sign of good measure.

  "Baker's dozen" here signifies an extra rose included beyond the dozen to convey generosity.

• I only needed a dozen eggs, but the farmer insisted on giving me a baker's dozen, refusing to let me leave without the extra.

  "Baker's dozen" symbolizes the farmer's insistence on providing an additional egg along with the dozen, as an act of kindness.

Conclusion

The idiom "baker's dozen" is commonly used to refer to a quantity of 13, often in a positive or generous context. This can be seen in the phrase "a baker's dozen of roses" where the extra flower is seen as a kind gesture. It can also be used to convey a sense of accuracy and perfectionism, as seen in the phrase "a baker's dozen of perfectly crafted pastries."

Origin of "Baker's dozen"

The origin of the idiom "baker's dozen" can be traced back to medieval England, where bakers were strictly regulated by the government. They were required to sell their goods by weight and were often punished if they were found to be cheating customers by giving them less than what they paid for. To avoid any penalties, bakers would often add an extra loaf of bread to each dozen sold, ensuring that the customer received the correct amount or even more. This practice was also believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the baker.

Another theory suggests that the term originated from the practice of bakers giving an extra loaf of bread to customers to prevent them from complaining about any small imperfections in the other loaves. By giving an extra loaf, the baker could ensure that the customer would leave satisfied and not cause any trouble.

Over time, the term "baker's dozen" became a common phrase used to describe a quantity of 13, with the connotation of generosity and good luck still attached. Today, the idiom is used in various contexts, often to convey the idea of going above and beyond expectations.