How many items are in 'a baker's dozen'?

Answer 1

The penalty for selling underwight loaves in England in the Middle Ages was severe (for instance the hand might be lopped off with an axe) and bakers preferred to give a extra loaf in every dozen (12) to make sure the customer had no cause for complaint.

Answer 2

There are thirteen (13) items in a baker's dozen.

The term originates in England, where an Assize of Bread and Ale during the reign of Henry III. A baker that was found to have cheated a customer by not providing enough loaves (or cakes or buns, etc.) was liable to lose a hand by the axe. To prevent this, bakers baked a dozen in sets of 13 instead of 12; this extra item safeguarded against one being lost by burning, eating, theft or simple loss. If it survived, it was a freebie that gained trust in the baker.

Answer 3

A baker's dozen contains 13 items. It originated as a practice among bakers in 13th century England, when strict laws could have lead to a baker getting his hand chopped off for trying to shortchange a customer. The term stems from the baker's tradition of adding one more to a dozen as lagniappe (a 'Cajun word meaning "a little extra").

During the reign of Henry III (r. 1216-1272), a law was passed called the Assize of Bread and Ale. Bakers who were found to have shortchanged customers could be liable to severe punishment. To guard against the punishment of losing a hand to an axe, a baker would give 13 for the price of 12, to be certain of not being known as a cheat.
A baker's dozen is thirteen.
13

Answer 4

13 some reason