ENGLISH
REFERENCE

banker's dozen

idiom
Meaning

Eleven.


Origin

disputed origin

A play on the phrase baker's dozen; it is one less than a dozen as compared to one more. See also bankers' hours.

Examples
SIMPLE

I ordered a baker's dozen of donuts for the office.

CONTEXTUAL

The local shop always gives you a baker's dozen when you buy a full set of rolls.

COMPLEX

Although the recipe strictly required twelve, the baker provided a baker's dozen to ensure the customer had enough for the large party.

Anchors to
Related idioms7entries
  1. 01

    a dime a dozen

    So common as to be practically or almost worthless.

  2. 02

    baker's dozen

    Thirteen; a group of thirteen.

  3. 03

    baker's half dozen

    Seven, a group of seven.

  4. 04

    cheaper by the dozen

    Handled more efficiently as a group, rather than individually.

  5. 05

    decimal dozen

    Ten, a group of ten.

  6. 06

    six of one, half a dozen of the other

    The two alternatives are equivalent or indifferent; it does not matter which one is chosen.

  7. 07

    twenty to the dozen

    very fast, fluently

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