Speak of the devil

“Speak of the devil” is used when the person you are talking about suddenly and unexpectedly appears. This idiom is a shortened form of the phrase, “Speak of the devil and he will appear.”

In western culture, There are many stories about a person wanting something so much that they will do anything for it. Soon after they say this, the devil appears offering to grant their wish for a favour, often their soul (Goethe’s Faust is a perfect example).

While it sounds like it might be an insult, it isn’t and is just used to tell the person who walked into the room you were talking about him/her. Obviously, if you really thought something bad about the person, you wouldn’t say this.

Andy: Did you hear about Rob going out with his boss?
Rachel: That’s news to me.
Andy: Speak of the devil! Hi Rob!
Rob: Were you talking about me again?
Rachel: Well, with the hot gossip going around, you can’t expect us not to.
Rob: Well, that’s true. But I wish people wouldn’t talk about me.
Rachel: Don’t worry, it is only because your life is so interesting!
Rob: Ha ha, well in that case I guess it is okay, but try to find something else to talk about, please.

Soul – The person’s spirit. (In Christian religion) When a person dies, their soul will go to heaven if they are good or to hell if they are bad.

Insult – To say something bad to/about someone. For example, “You are stupid!”

Going out with – This means dating. ie; Boyfriend / Girlfriend.

That’s news to me - I didn’t know that. When you hear something ‘new,’ and you did not know before.
Gossip – Talking about people who are not there. ie; “Did you hear about David’s new girlfriend? I heard she is really a model, but she doesn’t want anyone to know.”

With Your Keypal / Partner:
What would you :”sell your soul” for? (money, fame, etc..).
Have you heard any good gossip lately? (tell the story, gossip to your friend).