r/Showerthoughts • u/JewwKnee • 1d ago
Casual Thought It's impolite to call someone a devil unless they just walked into the room.
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u/mrrainandthunder 1d ago
Most people can take a bit of teasing, but I like the saying in my native tongue more: "speaking of the Sun"
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u/Sans-Mot 1d ago
In mine, it's "speaking of the wolf".
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u/Jonte7 1d ago
In mine, it's "when one talks about the trolls".
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u/xSkype 1d ago
Norwegian? This feels like a scandinavian ass statement
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u/Jonte7 20h ago
As the other replier has said, it's swedish.
I wouldn't be surprised either if norwegian had a similar expression
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u/mrrainandthunder 6h ago
Yeah, as you indicated, it is indeed Swedish. I would also not be flabbergasted if there existed a similar phrase in Norway.
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u/Jonte7 5h ago
Yo why were i downvoted
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u/mrrainandthunder 5h ago
Because you're providing literally nothing to the discussion by repeating what someone else said and even acknowledging it (like my own comment that was made in sarcasm, I will take the downvotes if people choose to do so ...).
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u/Jonte7 54m ago
Well, neither of us were sure about norwegian and so i, as the guy that was replied to, confirmed that it was indeed swedish and as i thought norwegian would have something similar, i too said so. (Norwegians are big about trolls n stuff. "Troll" and "Trollhunter" are two good movies about trolls that id like to recommend while on the topic)
Ig i was wrong in concurring, ill take the downvotes i suppose
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u/dankyspank 10h ago
Does the second half translate as "and the wolf is in the chicken coop"?
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u/Sans-Mot 8h ago
There is a french expression that translates to "the wolf is in the sheepfold", but it's not the second half of the other one. These two expressions have nothing to do one to another.
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u/dankyspank 7h ago
I'm asking because that's how it goes in Bulgarian-"Speak of the wolf but he's already in the chicken coop"
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u/box_of_the_patriots 1d ago
In mine is: "speaking of the King of rome and he looks out" it sounds silly, but Is a little rhyme "hablando del Rey de Roma. Y él, qué se asoma"
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u/yayimhavingfun 21h ago
in russian there are two versions: a mean one - "remember the shit - and here it is" , and a nice one - "remember the sun - and here's a ray"
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u/OneNOnly007 13h ago
We used a long dead warlord for ours.
说曹操、曹操就到。
（Speaking about Cao Cao, Cao Cao has arrived.)
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u/BaconJudge 1d ago
Calling a man a "handsome devil" is a pretty standard compliment, but that's the only other example I know.
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u/tejanaqkilica 1d ago
Calling someone "you really are a devil", when they're being cunning, is also a compliment. At least in my circle of people.
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u/Fun-Werewolf8536 1d ago
Looks like someone just watched the newest season of Always Sunny.
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u/heelspider 1d ago
Yeah I was wondering how they watched this show from the shower.
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u/HarveysBackupAccount 8h ago
Livin' that Kramer lifestyle
If you go through the trouble to pop in a garbage disposal, might as well replace the mirror with a TV
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u/BasketSouth7143 1d ago
It's funny because I always thought people were jokingly invoking the devil himself when coincidence happened rather than calling that individual a devil. Shouldn't we be invoking God's providence when there's synchronicity?
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u/REDDITATO_ 23h ago
You're thinking along the right lines. The full saying is "Speak of the devil and he shall appear". So you're more saying that person is an example of speaking something into happening, not literally that they're the devil.
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u/Every_Lack 23h ago
I haven’t really heard anyone call someone “a devil” when they are not there as an insult. However, if they say someone is “the devil,” that might better fit your idea.
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u/Guitardude_33 12h ago
Marines will often call each other devil. Like, “hey devil!” Short for devil dog.
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u/calypsoreader 11h ago
Ha! My principal said that to me this morning as I bumped into him exiting the classroom, the funny thing is he knows I’m super religious and got all awkward and apologised whilst I just laughed. I still like the phrase.
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