long dozen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very RareArchaic, Historical, Dialectal
Quick answer
What does “long dozen” mean?
A quantity of thirteen items.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A quantity of thirteen items; thirteen.
A traditional measure or count, often used historically to indicate a baker's dozen (13), sometimes implying a small, extra amount beyond a standard dozen.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic and rare in both varieties. Slightly more historical attestation in British English due to older measurement systems, but no meaningful modern difference.
Connotations
Historical trade, traditional markets, fairness in measurement (avoiding short-counting).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora for both. 'Baker's dozen' is the vastly preferred modern term.
Grammar
How to Use “long dozen” in a Sentence
[Sell/Buy/Charge] + [indirect object] + a long dozen + [of + noun]A long dozen + [of + countable noun] + [verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “long dozen” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- In the old market, they used a long dozen measure for eggs.
American English
- He quoted me a long dozen price for the bolts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in historical references to trade practices or quaint marketing.
Academic
Found in historical or linguistic studies of weights, measures, and trade terminology.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary speech.
Technical
Not used in modern technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “long dozen”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “long dozen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “long dozen”
- Using it in modern contexts where 'baker's dozen' or 'thirteen' is expected.
- Confusing it with 'a dozen long', which refers to length, not quantity.
- Assuming it is a common or current expression.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonyms, both meaning thirteen. 'Baker's dozen' is the common modern term.
No, it would sound archaic and potentially confusing. Use 'baker's dozen' if you need the specific concept, or simply 'thirteen'.
The 'long' likely refers to the extra unit making the count 'longer' than the standard twelve. It's a metaphor of quantity as length.
Yes, but it is even rarer. 'Short dozen' historically could mean eleven, implying a count that is less than standard.
A quantity of thirteen items.
Long dozen is usually archaic, historical, dialectal in register.
Long dozen: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɒŋ ˈdʌz.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɔːŋ ˈdʌz.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To give someone the long dozen: to give them thirteen instead of twelve, often as a bonus or to ensure fair measure.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ruler (something LONG); a standard dozen (12) plus one more inch makes a LONG DOZEN (13).
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS LENGTH (an increased quantity is conceptualised as a longer measure).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'long dozen'?