The DU Lounge

didn't. And you'll notice that numbers go up to twelve before the "teen" kicks in. We know that people had the concept of "dozen" (not necessarily the word, but the concept) very early, and that may well have been an influence. Along with the Zodiac and the year. Bit the concept of ten fingers (and toes perhaps?) is also very old, and that is reflected in the fact that -ty kicks in at 20 and stays until 99. (and then everything come back, just with "hundred" in front.)