The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE BAKER'S DOZEN

THE BAKER'S DOZEN IS THE QUANTITY OF THIRTEEN. THIS CAME ABOUT
BECAUSE THE BAKER WAS ALWAYS ACCUSSED OF SHORT CHANGING THEIR
CUSTOMERS. WHAT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING WAS THE LITTLE BOY THAT
WAS PICKING UP THE BAKED GOODS FOR HIS MOTHER WAS EATING ONE
OF THE TREATS ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE BAKERY. SO TO AVOID
THIS PROBLEM THE BAKER CREATED THE BAKER'S DOZEN SO THAT
HIS CUSTOMERS WOULD NOT THINK THAT HE IS SHORT CHANGING THEM
AND ALSO SO THAT THE MESSENGER WOULD HAVE A TREAT FOR THE
TRIP HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 00001973CA