🤔 Speak of the Devil and He Shall Appear
Definition:
The idiom “speak of the devil” (or “talk of the devil”) is used when someone you have just been talking about arrives or makes their presence known, typically to your surprise. This phrase underscores the idea that mentioning a person can somehow magically summon them.
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Guess who just showed up: An informal way to indicate the unexpected arrival of someone who was recently mentioned.
- Look who’s here: Another casual expression acknowledging someone’s arrival.
- Speak of the…: Start of the idiom often used among friends to hint at a twist in conversations.
Related Proverbs and Sayings:
- “When your ears are burning, someone’s talking about you.” A humorous way to indicate that someone might be the topic of someone else’s conversation.
- “The devil comes when you speak of him.” A cousin to our main idiom, emphasizing the mischievous providence associated with the subject arriving or becoming involved upon mention.
Humor-Filled Quote:
“Isn’t it funny how you set your clock by someone’s tardiness so you can always be surprised—unless, of course, you just talked about them.” – Penny D. Frightful
Recommended Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Books: “Stranger in a Strange Land” by Robert A. Heinlein
- Songs: “Talk About The Passion” by R.E.M.
- Movies: The Usual Suspects (1995), who arrives unexpectedly more often than Keyser Söze?
- Poetry: “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll—a whimsical take on the unexpected
In closing, remember, words have a mystic power. You never quite know who might pop up next. Until our next linguistic adventure, stay curious and keep speaking (devilishly)!
