When someone says “speak of the devil“, they mean that the person they were just talking about has unexpectedly appeared. The phrase is a shortened version of the old saying, “speak of the devil and he shall appear,” used when someone arrives just after being mentioned in a conversation. It’s not meant to be taken literally or negatively; it’s just a playful way to acknowledge the coincidence.
Here are some examples in sentences:
Example 1:
We were just talking about our high school days, and speak of the devil, our old classmate walked into the coffee shop.
Example 2:
I was telling Lisa about James’s new job and, speak of the devil, James called me.
Let’s see it in conversation:
Example 3:
Bob: “You remember our old boss, right? Mr. Jenkins?”
Alice: “Yes, of course, why do you ask?”
Bob: “Speak of the devil, there he is, walking into the restaurant!”
Example 4:
David: “I was just telling Sue about your cooking skills.”
Emma: “Oh, really?”
David: “Yes, and speak of the devil, here she is. Sue, meet Emma.”
To summarize, the phrase “speak of the devil” is used to point out a coincidence when someone appears just after being mentioned in a conversation. It adds a touch of humor and surprise to the interaction.
