Speak of the Devil Idiom: Meaning, Definition, History & Modern Uses

The idiom "speak of the devil" is a common phrase in English used when someone appears right after being mentioned in conversation. It's often shortened from the longer phrase "speak of the devil and he shall appear."

Definition & Meaning

The definition of "speak of the devil" is:

"Said when a person you have just been talking about arrives unexpectedly."

This phrase is used as an exclamation of surprise when coincidence brings someone into your presence just after you've been talking about them. It doesn't imply anything negative about the person, despite the mention of "devil."

History & Origins

The origins of this idiom date back to medieval times. The full phrase, "speak of the devil and he shall appear," was based on the superstitious belief that saying the devil's name would summon him. It was a warning against mentioning evil forces for fear of invoking them.

Over time, the phrase lost its supernatural connotations and became a lighthearted way to note the coincidence of someone's appearance just after being discussed. By the 19th century, it had been shortened to "speak of the devil" in common usage.

Modern Usage

Today, "speak of the devil" is widely used in everyday speech. Some examples of how it's typically employed:

• "I was just telling Sarah about your new job. Oh, speak of the devil - here she is now!"
• "We were wondering when Tom would arrive. Speak of the devil, I see him walking in."
• "I can't believe how long it's been since we've seen Mark. Speak of the devil! He just texted me."
• "We were just discussing the new manager. Speak of the devil, there she is in the hallway."
• "I was about to call John to ask about the project. Speak of the devil, he's calling me right now."

This phrase is particularly useful for highlighting coincidences in social situations and can often break the ice when someone joins a conversation in which they were just mentioned.

Do You Know?

Did you know that many languages have their own versions of "speak of the devil"? In Spanish, they say "Hablando del rey de Roma" (Speaking of the King of Rome). In German, it's "Wenn man vom Teufel spricht" (When one speaks of the devil). These variations all convey the same idea but use different cultural references, showing how widespread this concept is across different cultures.

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Exercise

1. Alice was telling us about her new roommate, and __________, he walked into the room.
2. We were discussing the upcoming project, and wouldn’t you know it, __________, our project manager entered the conference room.
3. Just as I was mentioning how rarely we see that old car around, __________, it drove by the window.
4. Jane was talking about her friend who always brings up controversial topics, and __________, her friend joined our conversation.
5. Tom was sharing a story about a colleague who’s known for telling jokes, and __________, that colleague came over to say hello.

Answers

1. Alice was telling us about her new roommate, and Speak of the Devil, he walked into the room.
2. We were discussing the upcoming project, and wouldn’t you know it, Speak of the Devil, our project manager entered the conference room.
3. Just as I was mentioning how rarely we see that old car around, Speak of the Devil, it drove by the window.
4. Jane was talking about her friend who always brings up controversial topics, and Speak of the Devil, her friend joined our conversation.
5. Tom was sharing a story about a colleague who’s known for telling jokes, and Speak of the Devil, that colleague came over to say hello.

Conclusion

Do you believe in coincidences? The idiom “Speak of the devil” is a reminder that sometimes, things happen in strange and unexpected ways. It’s a way of saying that the universe may be listening to us, even when we don’t realize it.

So next time you’re feeling like the universe is conspiring against you, or like whatever you’re talking about suddenly appears, remember the idiom “Speak of the devil.” It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected things can happen. And who knows? Maybe it’s all for a reason.

Also, check:

• 35 Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking tips
• Linking words for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Pronunciation Guide
• Common English words in IELTS Speaking
• Ough words
• Idiom- Kill two birds with one stone
• Common Idioms to Boost Your IELTS Score – Topic: Safety and risk