General
the deuce
What does the deuce mean?
An old nickname for the seedy 42nd Street / Times Square area (from 'forty-deuce') before its cleanup.
"My uncle used to hang around the Deuce in the '70s."
Origin
NYC; 'deuce' (two) from 'Forty-Deuce,' i.e., 42nd Street.
Frequently asked questions
What is 'the Deuce'?
It's an old nickname for the seedy 42nd Street / Times Square area of New York before its cleanup.
Why is 42nd Street called 'the Deuce'?
'Deuce' means two, and it comes from 'Forty-Deuce,' a nickname for 42nd Street.
Is 'the Deuce' still used?
It's largely historic, referring to the pre-cleanup era of the area, though older New Yorkers still use it.
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