What does 'speak of the devil' mean?

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**What it means:** Said when someone appears at the exact moment you were talking about them. It signals coincidence and is usually used with a laugh or a smile.

"We were just talking about you — speak of the devil!"

**The full phrase:** "Speak of the devil and he shall appear" — a proverb warning that mentioning the devil would cause him to show up. The modern version drops most of this and keeps only the key phrase, now used humorously.

**Tone:** Warm and slightly teasing. It's not an insult — comparing someone to the devil here is purely playful. The person being referred to usually laughs.

**When to use it:** When someone walks in during a conversation about them, or texts/calls just as you mention them. Also works digitally: "I was literally just emailing you — speak of the devil!"

**Register:** Casual. Works with friends and colleagues you know well.

**Tags:** idioms, coincidence, greetings, social English