Where does the phrase "speak of the devil" people say after talking about someone that just walks up?

Question

I've often wondered where the saying "speak of the devil here they are now" after talking about someone then they show up while you are talking about them?

Answer 1

This phrase is used to acknowledge the coincidence of someone arriving at a scene just at the time that they are being talked about. Clearly, nothing sinister is implied by this and it is just a jokey way of referring to the person's appearance. In fact, many people using the phrase might not be aware that, prior to the 20th century, the term wasn't meant lightheartedly at all. The full form goes like this - "speak of the Devil and he will appear". The phrase originated in England, where it was, and still is, more often given as 'talk of the Devil'.

The phrase is old and appears in various Latin and Old English texts from the 16th century.

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