In this mini episode, you will learn how to use the expression “Speak of the devil.”
Episode 311 of the Everybody ESL podcast is a mini episode that teaches you the expression “Speak of the devil.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions to EverybodyESL@gmail.com! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)
Intro
“Hello! This is Sasa, from China. And you are listening to Everybody ESL.”
Welcome to episode 311 of Everybody ESL, the podcast for everybody who wants to improve their English, practice their English, or just learn more English. My name is Ben, and I have a mini episode for you today, where I am going to teach you about one English topic. You can subscribe to the Everybody ESL podcast at Apple podcasts, on the Stitcher app, and wherever you find your podcasts. If you like Everybody ESL, leave it a good review so other people can find out about it too. And if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for me, please send an email to EverybodyESL@gmail.com. Okay! Let’s get on with this mini episode.
The episode
In this episode, I am going to teach you a common and interesting expression. And this expression is “Speak of the devil.” Speak of the devil.
That’s speak: s-p-e-a-k, of, the, devil: d-e-v-i-l. Speak of the devil.
What does this expression mean, and when do we use it? We use this expression when we are talking about somebody and then that person comes into the room, or that person sends a text, or communicates with us in some way.
Really, it just means, “Oh! That is a coincidence. We were just talking about that person and now here he is” or “And now here she is.” “We were just talking about this person, and they have come into the room. That is a coincidence.”
You can say this expression to the person who has just come into the room, or you can say the expression to the other people you are talking to.
You might be wondering where this expression comes from. I think it comes from a longer expression: “Speak of the devil, and he appears.” Or “When you speak of the devil, he will appear.” Or “When you talk about the devil, he will appear.” That is a very old expression. I don’t think anybody uses that expression anymore.
And now when we say, “Speak of the devil,” it does not sound rude or negative. Even though it has the word devil, and even though—in a way—you are comparing someone to the devil, it doesn’t sound like an insult. It doesn’t sound rude. It’s fine. All it means is, “Oh! That is a coincidence.” Or “Oh! We were just talking about you.”
I think this is an interesting and common expression that you should know.
Outro
This is the end of episode 311 of Everybody ESL. Remember: if you have questions about English, or if you have comments for me, or if you are interested in private lessons, or if you would like to record an introduction that I can play at the beginning of future episodes—the same way Sasa recorded the introduction you heard at the beginning of this episode—send an email to EverybodyESL@gmail.com. I’ll be back soon with a new episode. And until then, keep going, keep practicing, and keep learning. I’ll see you soon. Goodbye!