Saturday, March 9, 2013

Punishment


The “stocks” were generally placed in a conspicuous location in a village, usually on the village green. Those people with a grievance (or just to have fun) could step forward and take revenge on an individual. Sometimes the offending party would be the town baker who was often known to shortchange a customer on a loaf of bread, or a dozen rolls. To avoid such accusations, the baker might add another roll to be sure of the poundage. The expression “thirteen to the dozen” is believed to have originated because of this habit.