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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. It is used when an object of discussion unexpectedly becomes present during the conversation.
Learn the history and usage of the phrase 'Speak of the Devil', which means someone appears unexpectedly while being talked about. Find out how it evolved from a superstitious warning to a humorous expression.
Learn the meaning and usage of the idiom speak/talk of the devil, which means something you say when the person you were talking about appears unexpectedly. See examples, translations and related expressions.
speak of the devil. The person just mentioned has appeared, as in Why, speak of the devil-there's Jeannie. This expression is a shortening of the older Speak of the devil and he's sure to appear, based on the superstition that pronouncing the devil's name will cause his arrival on the scene.
- What Does The Idiom Speak of The Devil Mean?
- How Is The Idiom Speak of The Devil Commonly Used in context?
- What Is The Origin of The Idiom Speak of The Devil?
- How Did The Idiom Evolve Over time?
- What Are Some Related Terms to Speak of The Devil?
- What Have We Learned About The Idiom Speak of The Devil?
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The idiom speak of the devil is used when a person coincidentally arrives who has just been the subject of conversation. 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...
Exploring the multifaceted usage of the idiom speak of the devilsheds light on its versatility and significance in everyday language. In the following sections, we delve into various contexts where this expression is employed, offering insights into its effective usage, tips for application, and avenues to discover real-world examples.
This expression speak of the devil appeared in England during the Middle Ages as an admonition against the danger of uttering the name of the Devil, Satan, or Lucifer. The fear of acknowledging evil by name may be seen today in the Harry Potter series, where only the bravest characters will call Voldemort by his name. Talk of the devil is sometimes...
While speak of the devilbegan as a superstitious warning, today, it is a comment on the coincidence of speaking about something or someone and then suddenly finding it at your elbow.
Understanding idioms often involves exploring related terms to broaden comprehension. In this section, we’ll uncover synonyms, antonyms, and other related expressions that shed further light on the nuances of speak of the deviland its usage in various contexts.
The idiom speak of the devilis used to refer to someone who suddenly and unexpectedly appears in conversation. This old idiom first appeared in England during the Middle Ages as a warning against mentioning the name of Lucifer, Satan, or the Devil. However, over the years, the phrase has typically come to be used positively and jokingly, intimating...
Learn the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom speak of the devil, which is used when someone appears unexpectedly after being mentioned in conversation. Find out how to use it effectively, see examples, and test your knowledge with a quiz.
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The proper use of "speak of the devil" is when you are speaking about someone - usually having something bad to say or some kind of gossip when that person suddenly comes into earshot. This is appropriate insofar as "speak of the devil" is short for "speak of the devil and he will appear" as was pointed out by Jeff.
Dec 10, 2019 · Speak of the devil. This is one of my favorite idioms. We use this when somebody who you are talking about just appears. Here’s the example from the video: “Did you hear what he said when the boss walked in? “Can’t believe what he said.” “Hey, what you guys talking about?” “Speak of the devil.” Here are more examples:
