Idiom
Speak of the devil
People say speak of the devil when someone they were just talking about suddenly appears or calls.
How people use it
It is a lighthearted thing to say the moment a person you were discussing walks in, phones or sends a message: We were just wondering where you were. Speak of the devil. It is informal and friendly, not an insult, though it works best with people who know the phrase. Talk of the devil is a common British form. It is often used on its own as a full reply. The longer version is speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Also said: talk of the devil, speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Examples
- We were just talking about Omar's new haircut when, speak of the devil, he walked into the kitchen.
- Speak of the devil: that's Grace calling now.
- Ben said he hadn't seen Ana in weeks, and then, talk of the devil, she waved from across the street.
Where it comes from
It is a shortened form of an old proverb, speak of the devil and he will appear, which was in use in English by the 1600s. It reflects an old superstition that saying the devil's name could call him up, so people avoided it. Over time the warning turned into a joke about ordinary people showing up right on cue.
Check yourself
1. When do people usually say "speak of the devil"?
Answer: When someone they were discussing shows up. It is said when a person you were just talking about appears or calls.
2. How does the phrase usually sound in everyday use?
Answer: Playful and friendly. Today it is a lighthearted remark, not an insult.
Similar idioms
Word game fan? See every word hiding in DEVIL.