The Meaning of SPEAKING OF THE DEVIL – In a Sentence

This video gives the meaning of SPEAKING OF THE DEVIL and shows how to use this expression in the most common contexts.

Here is a transcript of the video: “The Meaning of SPEAK OF THE DEVIL”

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The meaning of SPEAK OF THE DEVIL
or TALK OF THE DEVIL, or SPEAKING OF THE DEVIL:

something you say when you are talking about a person, and that person suddenly or unexpectedly appears

The clipart shows three women talking at a table when a friend suddenly appears.

Note: This is an abbreviation of the phrase: “Speak of the Devil and he will appear.” It appears to be from a superstition in the Middle Ages warning against the danger of saying the name of the Devil, or Satan, or Lucifer.

Let’s now consider examples of SPEAK or TALK OF THE DEVIL . . .

Slide 4:
The picture shows a boy speaking on the phone.

Example: John, speaking on the phone to his friend said: “Bob hasn’t arrived yet.”

At that moment John catches sight of Bob in the crowd, and says: “Speak of the Devil, he’s just come.”

Slide 5:
In the picture we see students talking in a school corridor.

Example: Three students are checking a list of exam results when one of them says: “Wow, I see Kelly didn’t do so well.”
He then realizes she is standing in front of them. He continues: “Talk of the Devil, she’s here!”

Slide 6:
The last example:
Three women at a horse riding centre are talking about the trainer. Just then, he comes and stands behind them at the fence.
One woman says: “Another thing about that trainer, speak of the Devil . . .” or “speaking of the Devil . . .”

The simple form or continuous form of the verb can be used.

Notice that you can use “speak of the Devil” or “talk of the Devil” without adding any more words. You can just let your conversation trail off or stop just there, when the other person joins the group.

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So remember, if someone is talking about another person and that person unexpectedly or suddenly appears, to make the situation less embarrassing you might hear them say: “speak of the Devil . . .”, or “talk of the Devil . . .”

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As you are interested in the meaning of SPEAKING OF THE DEVIL, you may enjoy this page from the IDIOMS playlist:
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Image Credits

Slides 1,3,7 – friends talking
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http://clipart-library.com/clipart/2058886.htm

Slide 4 – boy on phone
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Courtesy taliesin
https://morguefile.com/p/145704

Slide 5 – talking in the corridor
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Courtesy jemin1859
https://morguefile.com/p/794309

Slide 6 – women talking
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Courtesy jade
https://morguefile.com/p/610422

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