Dozen

[1] The use of twelve as a base number, known as the duodecimal system (also as dozenal), originated in Mesopotamia (see also sexagesimal).

These French words have synonymous cognates in Spanish: docena,[7][8][9] quincena, veintena, centena, etc.

A confusion may arise with the Anglo-Norman dizeyne (French dixaine or dizaine) a tithing, or group of ten households[10] — dating from the earlier English system of grouping households into tens and hundreds for the purposes of law, order and mutual surety (see Tithing).

The broadest use of baker's dozen today is simply a group of thirteen objects (often baked goods).

During this time, bakers who sold a dozen units that failed to meet this requirement could be penalized with a fine.

[18] According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term "baker's dozen" originated in the late 16th century and is "apparently so called after the former practice among bakers of including a thirteenth loaf when selling a dozen to a retailer, the extra loaf representing the retailer's profit.