deuce

1. the two on dice or playing cards.

   a doctored die having two deuces

2. the score of 40 all in a game, at which each player needs two consecutive points to win the game.

   the Swede pegged him back to deuce from 40-love

   a marathon game that went to eleven deuces

late 15th century: from Old French deus ‘two’, from Latin duos .

1. used as a euphemism for ‘devil’ in expressions of annoyance, impatience, surprise, etc.

   how the deuce are we to make a profit?

   what the deuce are you trying to do?

mid 17th century: from Low German duus, probably of the same origin as deuce¹ (two aces at dice being the worst throw).