devil

The word "devil" often brings to mind red horns, a pitchfork, and fire—the classic picture of evil in many stories and religions. In that sense, it can mean Satan, or an evil spirit. But in everyday English it's also used for people and situations. You might call a child a "little devil" for being naughty in a playful way, or call a cruel person "a devil" to show strong dislike. It can also mean a very hard or annoying thing: "That puzzle was a devil," or "I had a devil of a time finding parking." People even use it in mild swearing ("What the devil...?") or in set phrases like "play devil's advocate," meaning to argue the other side just to test an idea. Context tells you whether it's serious, joking, or just a figure of speech.

The word "devil" carries a lot of history and symbolism. At its core, it refers to the personification of evil—often depicted as Satan in Christian theology, a fallen angel who opposes God. This meaning evokes images of temptation, sin, and damnation, reminiscent of Milton's Paradise Lost, where Lucifer is portrayed as a powerful, rebellious figure.

However, the origins of "devil" are far more mundane. It comes from the Greek word diabolos, meaning "accuser" or "slanderer." This reflects an early view of the devil not just as a monster, but as an adversary who makes false accusations. Over time, the usage broadened significantly. A truly cruel person might be called "a devil," while a mischievous child can be affectionately described as "a little devil." A particularly challenging task can also be called "a devil"—like untangling Christmas lights or assembling flat-pack furniture. And "Go to the devil!" remains a recognized, if old-fashioned, expression of anger or dismissal.

Interestingly, "devil" also appears in phrases that add emphasis or express strong feeling: "a devil of a time," "What the devil?", and "devil's advocate" (taking the other side to test an idea). It shows up in sayings like "Speak of the devil" (said when someone appears right after you mention them). The word can also point to intense energy or skill: a "devil of a pace" means something is moving incredibly fast, and someone who's a "devil with a needle" is very good at sewing. "Devilishly" can even be positive, as in "devilishly handsome," where the charm has a hint of mischief. In cooking, to "devil" something means to make it spicy or highly seasoned, which is why we have "deviled eggs." While the devil may be known as the ultimate force of evil, the word itself has evolved to cover everything from wickedness and temptation to playful mischief, strong emphasis, and impressive skill.