lupus in fabula

Latin

Etymology

Literally, “wolf in the story”.

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /lu.pu.sinˈfaː.bu.laː/, [ɫ̪ʊpʊs̠ĩːˈfäːbʊɫ̪äː]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈlu.pus in ˈfa.bu.la/, [ˈluːpus in ˈfäːbulä]

Proverb

lupus in fābulā

1. (idiomatic) talk of the devil, speak of the devil and he shall appear

   Synonym: lupus in sermōne

   • Pompeius, Commentum in Artis Donati partem tertiam in Heinrich Keil, Grammatici Latini 5.311.31K:

     Puta dē nescioquō loquēbāris et subitō venit is, dīcis tū, "lupus in fābulā!"

     Say, you were talking about somebody or other, and all of a sudden that person comes, then you say: "talk of the devil!"

   • 68 BCE – 44 BCE, Cicero, Epistulae ad Atticum 13.33.1:

     Dē Varrōne loquēbāmur. Lupus in fābulā: vēnit enim ad mē [...]

     We were talking about Varro the other day. Speak of the devil: he arrived at my place [...]