Speak of the Devil and he might just pop over for a chat - or so the old saying warns. This quirky phrase has its roots tangled deep within the superstitions of the Middle Ages, a time when mentioning the devil was literally believed to invite his presence. Since then, it has evolved from a stern warning into a nifty way to acknowledge someone’s timely entrance.

Interestingly, this idiom varies globally, reflecting different cultural attitudes toward fate and superstition. In Italy, it’s "Parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna," - literally, "Speak of the devil, and horns appear,” while in French, it's "Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue,” meaning “When one speaks of the wolf, one sees its tail."