Baker’s dozen

Meaning

The idiom "baker's dozen" refers to a group of people or things that is one more than the expected number or standard amount. It is often used to describe a group of something that is slightly larger than typical or expected.

Usage

• The baker usually includes a baker's dozen pastries in every order.
• The movie theater gave away free popcorn to its customers as part of their promotion, but it only lasted for a baker's dozen shows.
• When planning the menu for the party, the host decided to order a baker's dozen pizzas to make sure everyone was well-fed.
• The singer performed an extra song during her concert, which she referred to as a baker's dozen for her fans.
• The sports team lost their last game by one point, but they won the next two games by a total of three points - a baker's dozen! The usage of "baker's dozen" can vary depending on the context. It can be used to refer to a group of people or things that is slightly larger than typical or expected in any situation where the standard amount is known or expected.

Roots and History

The exact origin of the idiom "baker's dozen" is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 16th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of bakers selling their wares in groups of twelve, with one extra loaf included as a bonus. Another theory suggests that it originated from the practice of bakers adding an extra loaf to each order to make sure they got paid for all twelve. Over time, the meaning and usage of "baker's dozen" have evolved to include any group of something that is one more than the expected number or standard amount. It has become a common idiom in contemporary language and is used in a variety of contexts to describe slightly larger groups or amounts of things.

Synonyms in English

• Dozens
• Multitude
• Plentiful
• Abundant
• Few and far between

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "Dózena" - similar to "dozens" in English, used to refer to a group of twelve
• French: "Douzaine" - also means "twelve", used as a reference point for larger amounts of things
• German: "Bundes" - refers to a group or bundle, often used to describe a group of people or things that is slightly larger than typical or expected
• Italian: "Dozena" - similar to "dozens" in English, used to refer to a group of twelve
• Russian: "Город" - translates to "city", but can also be used as a reference point for groups of people or things that is slightly larger than typical or expected

Similar Idioms

• bite the bullet

• bump into

• bag and baggage