Origin and Meaning

In old English culture, people believed that saying the devil’s name could actually summon him. The phrase “speak of the devil and he will appear” originated from this idea—it was a way to avoid accidentally calling forth the devil by speaking his name directly.

How It Evolved

Over time, this superstition softened. Instead of literally referring to the devil, the expression became a humorous way to refer to someone who unexpectedly shows up just as they’re being talked about. Today, it’s used lightly and often brings laughter when, for example, a friend arrives right as you’re talking about them.

Example in Use

Imagine you’re chatting about a friend named Sarah, saying something like, “Sarah always has the funniest stories,” and then Sarah suddenly walks in. You might say, “Speak of the devil!” as a fun acknowledgment of the coincidence.