Search results
The full form goes like this – “speak of the Devil and he will appear”. The phrase originated in England, where it was, and still is, more often given as ‘talk of the Devil’. The phrase is old and appears in various Latin and Old English texts from the 16th century.
- Meaning of “Speak of The Devil”
- Origin of “Speak of The Devil”
- When to Use “Speak of The Devil”
- Example Sentences with “Speak of The Devil”
- Why Do Writers Use “Speak of The Devil?”
- “Speak of The Devil” in Popular Culture
- Related Idioms
The phrase “Speak of the devil” comes from the longer English phrase “Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.” It is used to acknowledge that someone who was the subject of discussion has entered into the conversation, into the room, or into the vicinity of the dialogue. The phrase changes a lot depending on the context. This is another element th...
Like almost all idioms, “speak of the devil” does not have a clear, defined origin. The phrase can be traced back to the 16th century where it was used to remind people not to speak of the devil. This is where the second half of the phrase, “and he shall appear,” becomes important. Other variations included “talk of the devil, and he’s presently at...
“Speak of the devil” is used colloquially, like almost all idioms. This means that it’s used in common speech among friends, family members, and close colleagues. It is very unlikely that one will find this phrase in professional conversation, in a speech, or in academic writing. It should be used when someone, who a group was just talking about, j...
“What do you know, speak of the devil, here comes Adam now!”“Oh shoot, speak of the devil…”“Speak of the devil! Everyone shut up, here comes Sandy.”“Speak of the devil, here you are!”“Speak of the devil” is one of the most flexible idioms in the English language. It can be written into a dialogue that’s meant humorously, superstitiously, cruelly, or simply as an observation. Due to the fact that the phrase is still in common use today, in normal everyday conversation, it’s quite easy to work into written dialogue. Unlike some i...
One of the ways that the term was popularized, especially in recent years, was in the music and gaming industry. It is the title of Ozzy Osborne’s popular live album, released in November of 1982. It is also the name of songs by other artists such as Randy Rodger’s Band, Black Pistol Fire, A Day to Remember, and Sum 41. The idiom is also used as th...
“Are your ears burning?”“Benefit of the doubt.”“A blessing in disguise.”“Better late than never.”Speak of the devil. Look up speak of the devil in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. " Speak of the devil " is the short form of the English-language idiom " Speak of the devil and he doth appear " (or its alternative form " speak of the devil and he shall appear "). The form " talk of the devil " is also in use in the United Kingdom. [1]
Origin. This phrase, in its current usage, is a lighthearted way of referring to someone who has unexpectedly come in when being talked about, however, prior to the 20th century, it wasn’t a lighthearted one. The full form of this phrase is “Speak of the Devil and he will appear”, and was meant to warn people not to talk about the Devil.
The idiom “speak of the devil” is a commonly used expression in English that refers to when someone appears just as you were talking about them. This phrase has been around for centuries, but its origins are not entirely clear. Some say it comes from an old superstition that speaking about the devil would summon him, while others believe it ...
The idiom is actually a shortened version of the phrase: speak of the Devil, and he will appear. According to Merriam-Webster, the phrase is “used in speech to say that someone one has been talking about has unexpectedly appeared.”. Moreover, the Cambridge Dictionary defines speak/talk of the devil as “something you say when the person ...
People also ask
What is the full form of “speak of the Devil”?
What does 'speak of the Devil' mean?
Where did the phrase'speak of the Devil' come from?
What is the full form of'speak of the Devil'?
Where did the phrase 'talk of the Devil' come from?
What does the idiom'speak of the Devil' mean?
The idiom "speak of the Devil" is commonly used to acknowledge someone's presence, often in a negative or unexpected way, or to express surprise at the timing of their appearance. It can also be used in a superstitious context, believing that mentioning someone can summon them. Origin of "Speak of the Devil"
