# Buns by the eight

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buns-by-the-eight/592081>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [August 9, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buns-by-the-eight/592081 "2011-08-09T14:28:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MacLir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buns-by-the-eight/592081/1 "2011-08-09T14:28:44Z")

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I was actually making home made hamburger buns the other day and noticed another reason that probably figures into the situation.

Eight is two to the third power. “So?” I hear you cry. 😕

While this is no longer a major consideration, with “batter-type” bread recipes in commercial use, the fact that dividing a single batch of dough by halves, three times, results in eight of the right size buns would be a motivator. Making ten would be far more awkward than 8, 9, or 12. I leave it as an exercise to the student why no one would intentionally set out to make 11.:dubious:

So, historically, there would have been a motivation for bakers to make buns by the eight (easier!) and it gained cultural inertia.

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**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buns-by-the-eight/592081/2 "2011-08-09T14:39:24Z")

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Link to column: [Why do hot dogs come 10 to a pack while buns are 8 to a pack? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/560/why-do-hot-dogs-come-10-to-a-pack-while-buns-are-8-to-a-pack) (Providing a link to the column in question is a courtesy to other readers, keeps us on the same page and saves earch time.)

Interestin’ comment, **MacLir**. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buns-by-the-eight/592081/3 "2011-08-09T15:28:20Z")

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I believe the same thing is credited for the fact that an avoirdupois pound has sixteen “twelfths” (which is what “ounce” actually means).