In tennis, what is the origin of the scoring (going from 0 to 15 to 30 to 40)?

alaspooryoric

Some say it is based on Sphairistike, an earlier version of tennis that used the calibers of guns on board certain vessels (15, 30, 40). Others say it is based on the quarter positions of the clock (15, 30, 45); that, of course, does not explain the score of 40. "Luv" or "0" is said to be a derivative of the French word for egg--"l'oeuf." http://askville.amazon.com/scoring-tennis-15-30-40/ However, Cecil Adams contradicts all of this. He claims that 60 used to be considered a perfect number and thus the quarter divisions of 15, 30, 45, and 60, with 45 eventually abbreiviated to just 40. He also claims "love" comes from the idea of "playing for love." www.straightdope.com/columns/read/272/why-is-tennis- Apr 17 11, 12:20 PM

metsfan1001

Thanks! Apr 17 11, 8:40 PM