How does a baker’s dozen save an ear

How Does a Baker’s Dozen Save An Ear?

Who knew a baker’s ear was on the line each time they baked a loaf of bread?  In ancient times, a baker was subject to severe penalties for not giving the full weight of bread to their customers.  Ancient Egypt would nail a baker by the ear to the shop’s door when caught selling light in weight loaves of bread!  Wow, unintended free piercings!!  Still wondering how does a baker’s dozen save an ear?

Even the English Parliament Weighed In

When English Parliament passed a law in 1266 subjecting the Company of White Bakers and the Company of Brown Bakers to strict regulation regarding bread weight, the bakers made sure that they complied.  It was difficult to make sure that they complied since it was difficlt to make loaves of a uniform weight at that time.  Bakers began to add a thirteenth loaf, the “in-bread” or “vantage loaf”, to each shipment of twelve they sent to a shopkeeper or retailer.  This was to guarantee them that there would be no shortchanging or ear-nailing.  Most authorities believe this led to the expression ‘baker’s dozen’ for thirteen.

Keep the Baker’s Dozen and Save an Ear!

I was taught in home economics that kneading your bread carelessly and leaving air pockets would guarantee a light loaf…actually a loaf with a big hole through it. I still find those loaves with holes in them from careless bakers today.  How in the world do they expect you to put butter, jelly or anything else on a slice of bread with a hole in it?!  Although it’s upsetting, I still wouldn’t nail a baker’s ear to the shop door!

I do like the idea that carried over of a baker’s dozen!  How about you?  Find any holes in your bread lately?

taken from The Henry Holt Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins

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