Search results
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. The Italian writer Giovanni Torriano has the first recorded version in contemporary English, in Piazza Universale, 1666: “The English say, Talk ...
- 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?
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...
- Author
Definition of speak of the devil in the Idioms Dictionary. speak of the devil phrase. ... "Well, speak of the devil! We were just speaking talking something funny you ...
Jul 1, 2020 · 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.
Dec 12, 2021 · Speaking of the Devil Meaning. " Speaking of the devil " is an idiom referring to someone appearing physically after talking about them, or the other party in your conversation could mention them, resulting in you saying, " Speaking of the devil ." The phrase can have a negative or positive meaning behind it, and you can use it to express ...
The “devil” being spoken of could very well have been the object of high praise before they made their unexpected appearance, and exclaiming “Speak of the devil” when they do would still be entirely appropriate. “Speak of the devil” As a Cue. As I have stressed, “Speak of the devil” can be used even when speaking positively of ...
5 days ago · How to use speak/talk of the devil in a sentence. —used in speech to say that someone one has been talking about has unexpectedly appeared… See the full definition
