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OT=Why is a dozen, twelve?
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2003 6:10 pm
by Wingman
got to thinking about that the other day (yeah, it's slow in the blind). Why is a dozen, 12? Why isn't a dozen 10, or 15. Maybe it has a latin prefix meaning two+plus something. And why are things sold by the dozen? Dozen traps, dozen dekes, dozen donuts....why? Why? WHY?
Wingman
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2003 6:27 pm
by K9
Wingman definatley to much time on your hands
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2003 6:30 pm
by Dutch Dog
why ask why? Do they still make bud dry?
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2003 8:32 pm
by Drakeshead
Why is a bakers dozen 13?
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2003 10:02 pm
by mallardhunter
Dozen: [Middle English dozeine, from Old French dozaine, from doze, twelve, ultimately from Latin duodecim : duo, two; see dwo- in Indo-European Roots + decem, ten; see dek in Indo-European Roots.]
Source:
http://dictionary.reference.com/
A baker's dozen is 13 because, when you bought a dozen of something at a bakery, the baker would often toss in an extra for you.
Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2003 12:06 am
by Wingman
AHA! I KNEW LATIN WAS THE CASE! diabrotica undecimpunctata is the 11-spotted cucumber beetle (undecim=11, punctata=dot/spot). Thanks, mallardhunter. Now I have to think of other mysterious questions.
Wingman
Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2003 8:09 am
by gadwall2
11 spotted cucumber beetle?
Its all a conspiracy set forth by the democrats and DU.
Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2003 10:59 am
by Wingman
Hehe, anyone that had Field Crop Insects under Dr. Petri at State, will vow that the 11-spotted cucumber beetle is the most feared insect in all the universe!
Wingman