E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Deuce of Cards (The).
The two (French, deux). The three is called “Tray” (French, trois; Latin, tres).
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“A gentleman being punched by a butcher’s tray, exclaimed, ‘Deuce take the tray.’ ‘Well,’ said the boy, ‘I don’t know how the deuce is to take the tray.’”—Jest Book.
