IdiomAnimals
Lithuanian
LithuanianVilką minim, vilkas čia
Meaning: Speak of the devil.
Literally: We mention the wolf, and here's the wolf
Example: “Kaip tik kalbėjome apie Joną – vilką minim, vilkas čia!” — We were just talking about Jonas, and speak of the devil!
English equivalent: Speak of the devil
Origin: "We mention the wolf, and the wolf is here": the Lithuanian proverb is the counterpart of English "speak of the devil." Many European languages use the wolf, as in Latin lupus in fabula (the wolf in the story), used by Terence and Cicero.
Equivalents in other languages
Korean: 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다 (Horangido je mal hamyeon onda) Literally: Even a tiger comes when you speak of it
English: speak of the devil
More Lithuanian idioms
- Nei į tvorą, nei į mietą Neither here nor there; completely irrelevant.
- Pilstyti iš tuščio į kiaurą To do utterly futile work.
- Sukti galvą To rack your brains.
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