Here’s the Daily Double blueprint: two 100 percent beef patties, melty American cheese, lettuce, slivered onions, mayo and a slice of tomato on a standard-issue McDonald’s bun.

Total calories: 440. Fat grams: 24. Sodium: 810 mg. Carbs: 33 g. Dietary fiber: 2 g. Protein: 23 g. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $1.99.

The term “Daily Double” originated as the first exotic bet offered at dog and horse tracks. The bettor had to pick the winners of two designated races, usually the first two races. The “Daily Double” was created to encourage gamblers to get to the track early. Don’t forget to keep cab fare in your shoe so that no matter what, you have a ride home.

At McDonald’s, the Daily Double is a different kind of dog-and-pony show. Basically, McDonald’s has bedazzled the McDouble from its Dollar Menu, named it the Daily Double … and doubled the price.

“Double, double toil and trouble/ Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”

Bet this was the last place you’d expect a line from “Macbeth,” huh? Hey, we’ve got class in the drive-thru. And a little ketchup on the side of our mouth.

The Daily Double takes a McDouble, loses the mustard, ketchup and pickle and replaces them with shredded lettuce, a slice of tomato and mayo.

This rebranding will cost you $1. At least you’re getting a new twist on things for your extra buck at McDonald’s. At the gas pump, there’s nothing new except the extra buck.

I’m not complaining about McDonald’s raising its prices. That’s the way things work, plus there was a drought and other price-increasing Acts of Nature. It’s just that I prefer the McDouble at half the price. Both the McDouble and the Daily Double start with two all-beef patties and a slice of “melty” cheese. That’s a McDonald’s word, “melty.” It’s scary. It sounds like something in between “not melted” and “melted.”

I should have stayed awake in chemistry class. I wouldn’t be as frightened by a new burger at McDonald’s.

Here’s the deal: ketchup, mustard and chopped onions on the McDouble for a buck — or mayo, shredded lettuce, slivered onions (same as used on a Quarter Pounder) and a slice of tomato on the Daily Double for two bucks. Don’t get so excited about slivered onions. A burger proprietor extraordinaire said that the No. 1 thing he sweeps up in the drive-thru at quitting time is onions.

Let’s play “Jeopardy!” The Daily Double answer is, “It’s the smarter move at McDonald’s.”

What is, “Buy two McDoubles”?