Talk/speak of the devil
[Dutch phrase of the week]

Today is DWOTD number 666…an expression with the devil in it seemed appropriate 🙂

"Duivel" (sometimes "duvel") translates to devil. The expression is actually a shorter version of "Als je over de duivel spreekt, trap je op zijn staart", which literally translates to "If you speak of the devil, you’ll step on his tail". The expression is used when you’re talking about somebody, and he/she enters the room or appears at the scene that very moment.

The idiom "het hebben over" is synonymous to "to speak/talk about".

Examples:
– "Wat een verschrikkelijke presentatie van Frank vanochtend." – "Als je het over de duivel hebt…daar is hij…"
("What a terrible presentation by Frank this morning." – "Speak of the devil…there he is…")

– "Heb je dat aarsgewei bij Rita gezien? Ongelofelijk!" – "Als je het over de duivel hebt, stil…daar loopt ze…")
("Have you seen that ass cap on Rita? Unbelievable!" – Talk of the devil, quiet…she’s walking over there…)

– "Laten we fluisteren, want als je het over de duvel hebt, trap je op zijn staart…" 
("Let’s whisper, because speak of the devil, and he is sure to appear…")

Expressions:
– "Loop naar de hel/duivel/bliksem!": Go to hell!
– "Des duivels": furious.

Example:
– "Noem jij mij een prutser? Moet jij nodig zeggen! Ik ben des duivels!!"
("Are you calling me a screw up? Look who’s talking! I’m furious!" Note that "des duivels" is an old genitive form, which is no longer used, except in some expressions or idiom.)

Related words:
– Hel: hell [noun] [de hel, <no plural>].
– Hemel: heaven(s), sky [noun] [de hemel, de hemelen].

Example:
– "Goede mensen gaan naar de hemel, slechte mensen gaan naar de hel."
("Good people go to heaven, bad people go to hell.")

– Engel: angel [noun] [de engel, de engelen].
– Duivels: diabolical, devilish [adjective].

Extra:
Did you know that…
>> …the national soccer team of Belgium is also know as "De Rode Duivels": the red devils?
>> … one of Belgium’s finest special beers is called "Duvel"?