Hi this is Tutor Nick P and this is Proverbs 150. The proverb today is speak
of the devil and he shall appear. Okay. Let's take a look at the note here. This
proverb could also just be shortened to speak in the devil. It can also be heard
as speak of the devil and in he walks or talk of the devil. So you might hear it
any of those ways. All right. Let's continue. Let's look at the note here. The proverb
is basically used today to express the idea that when you talk about a person
he suddenly appears. So it's kind of used in a humorous way. That you were talking
about the person and then he shows up. You say. .. speak of the devil.
Talk to the devil. Look who's here. That's the way we usually use it. So let's
continue. The origin of the phrase is based on an old superstition that if one
pronounces the devil's name it could cause him to appear. It can also be found
in many old Latin and English texts. The earliest citing seems to be from the
writer Giovanni Torriano in Piazza Universale 1666. Yeah.
I think we, we took another quote from him before too. It's a little ironic too that the
date on this is 1666 because you know in the West they often think of 666 for the
devil's number. So maybe it's just a coincidence.
Anyway, let's continue here. The English say ... So this is his actual quote from the
book" The English say talk the devil and he's presently at your elbow. " So and of
course it forms into the way ... into several ways that we use it today. All
right. Anyway, let's , let's continue here we have had two examples.
Speak of the devil. Look who just walked in the door. We were just talking about
you. You know I think I've heard it used this way so many times. Or somebody might
say speak of the devil. We were just about to call you , and invite you to come over
Oh and you just walked in you just appeared.Well it's amazing. That's
usually the way it's used. Anyway I hope you got it. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank
you for your time. Bye-bye.