How Do You Spell BAKER DOZEN?

Pronunciation: [bˈe͡ɪkə dˈʌzən] (IPA)

The correct spelling for the term "baker's dozen" is not "baker dozen" as many believe. The term originated in the 13th century in England, where bakers would add an extra roll or loaf of bread to their batches as a measure of good faith. The proper pronunciation for "baker's dozen" is ˈbeɪkəz ˈdʌzn, with stress on the first syllable of both words. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈbeɪ.kəz ˈdʌz.ən/. Always remember to use the apostrophe after "baker" to indicate possession.

BAKER DOZEN Meaning and Definition

1. A "baker's dozen" is a idiomatic expression that refers to a count of thirteen, instead of the traditional twelve items. This phrase originated from the practice of bakeries or bread makers adding an extra item to a dozen of their products as a gesture of goodwill or to ensure customer satisfaction. The term is primarily used in relation to baked goods, such as bread, pastries, or doughnuts, but can also be applied to other scenarios involving quantities.

   The concept of a baker's dozen arose from historical reasons, as baked goods were typically sold by the dozen. Bakers often faced strict regulations regarding the weight of their products and would add the extra item to compensate for any potential shortfalls. Some theories suggest that bakers also did this to prevent being penalized by authorities for selling underweight products.

   Today, the term "baker's dozen" is generally employed in a figurative sense to denote a quantity that exceeds expectations or goes beyond the norm. It emphasizes generosity or goodwill towards others. For example, someone giving a "baker's dozen of compliments" would be going above and beyond the typical expectation of giving just a dozen compliments.

   Overall, the term "baker's dozen" has evolved from a literal counting practice in the baking industry to a symbolic expression representing surplus, generosity, and an abundance that exceeds expectations.

Common Misspellings for BAKER DOZEN

• vaker dozen
• naker dozen
• haker dozen
• gaker dozen
• bzker dozen
• bsker dozen
• bwker dozen
• bqker dozen
• bajer dozen
• bamer dozen
• baler dozen
• baoer dozen
• baier dozen
• bakwr dozen
• baksr dozen
• bakdr dozen
• bakrr dozen
• bak4r dozen
• bak3r dozen
• bakee dozen

Etymology of BAKER DOZEN

The term "baker's dozen" is derived from the practice of medieval English bakers adding an additional 13th item to a dozen (12) when selling items such as bread or pastries. The reason for this extra item was to provide compensation for any potential discrepancies in weight or to avoid penalties for selling underweight goods. Bakers wanted to ensure they were providing their customers with the full value of their purchase. Over time, this term became synonymous with any group of 13 items.