speak of the devil

Idioms  

1. The person just mentioned has appeared, as in Why, speak of the devil—there's Jeannie. This expression is a shortening of the older Speak of the devil and he's sure to appear, based on the superstition that pronouncing the devil's name will cause his arrival on the scene. The figurative use was already explained in James Kelly's Scottish Proverbs (1721).

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Example Sentences

"Speak of the devil," Cuomo said with a little laugh.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2016

Speak of the devil, and up pops John Updike.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Why, Reynie! Speak of the devil, Mr. Benedict, here he is. Go on in, child, I must rush off.”

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

Speak of the devil," said one, "and there he goes now.

From Old Man Curry Race Track Stories by Van Loan, Charles E. (Charles Emmett)

"Speak of the devil, mon ami!" said he, drawing his arm within mine, while I was scarcely able to avoid a cry of astonishment.

From Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume II by Lever, Charles James