“Speak of the devil” is an idiom or phrase used in both written and spoken English. It is used when an object of discussion (normally a person) unexpectedly becomes present during the conversation. For example, if Alice and Bob start discussing Charlie while he isn’t in the room, and Charlie walks into the room, Alice or Bob might say, “Speak of the devil!”

It can also be used about a topic that quickly becomes relevant, such as the onset of rain or a car breaking down. Used in this sense it can be seen as an alternative to the phrase “tempting fate”.

The phrase is an abbreviation of the Italian proverb (also well known in English) which runs, “Speak of the devil and the horns appear” (Parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna).

Having been the two floor infantry and Air Wing in the time of my 20 in the Corps the fact approximately could be air wing is a sprint assine because simple reality is that the lawsuits are specifically from the infantry area Pendleton and Lejuene. that is a 2 sided project in that some think of of canines as being undesirable “you get dogged out” “she’s a canines” however the main project is a few the religious precise nuts think of the term devil is undesirable and the U. S. being God’s us of a and we are on God’s project in Iraq so touching on us as devil’s makes it sound disrespectful. I fought for Corps and us of a and what ever God, gods, if any I worship is and grow to be no person’s corporation i did no longer combat for any faith or faith so i in my opinion think of the term is a stable one, is classic. and has historic importance so it is going to stay. it appears that evidently what the politically perfect severe left isn’t attempting to alter the severe religious precise is. The term is an mark or appreciate and could learn as such-fortunately they do no longer be responsive to various the flaws USMC I heard it meant in Vietnam..Uncle Sam’s Misbegotten babies being one among wonderful ones.

Superstition that the mere mention of an evil spirit will result in its appearance. These days the phrase is shortened to “Speak of the Devil.”

It is almost always spoken in jest.

It originate as an ole cliche, a sarcastic kind of humor, sometimes arrogance concerning a person who was being talked about and this individual shows up in their presence at the moment they r talking about them, it can be used positive or negative.

Devil: can be the satan himself or someone whom you despise the most. You should be using this phrase in order to mock someone. Some people find it amusing to say this phrase in the circle of friends too.

I hope this helps!

~* Mrs. Bakur*~

Usually when you mention someone, he usally appears!, like the devil send him, because You were talking about him.

ummm how can i explain that.. OK I’ll give an example:

🙂 you decide to talk about a certain person and all of the sudden they show up or maybe they call you or something like that.

lol i think the point was espressed in all the senses……the phrase is used when one is making a peevish comment about someone n they happen to show up ….it is a phrase of mimickery

When your talking about someone and then all of a sudden they show up.

A reference to someone who appears unexpectedly while being talked about.

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A place to find out other idioms and phrases:

The Phrase Finder

http://www.phrases.org.uk/index.html