Dust devil has been seen since 1867.
A devil way is an early 13th century expression which then meant ‘the way to hell’ and the like. A century later it was used as an expression of irritation; and by 1680 described ‘an errand boy in a printing office’. The latter probably came about because of them suffering stains on their person from the printing ink, which was always black as were devils.
Devil’s books, seen since 1729, was used to refer to playing cards.
Devil’s coachhorse is actually a beetle, a rather aggressive little blighter first identifies as such in 1840.
Devil’s food cake is a real recipe for a chocolate cake, appearing in print for the first time in 1895, and probably named as it is quite different from angel cake.
Talk of the devil, said when someone seems to appear just as you’re talking about them, is first seen in print in the 1660s.
Devilment made its debut in 1771.
Devilled appears around 1800, it is a culinary term describing anything grilled with a hot condiment or sauce.
The devilfish was named in 1814, although it was used to describe a variety of marine creatures.
Devil-may-care first appears as a synonym for ‘reckless’ in 1828, but since 1815 had been used as an oath.
Daredevils made their first appearance in 1684, although then the reference was to those who showed little religious devotion. The modern use did not come into use until 1832.
Killdevil is first seen in 1670, when it referred to bad rum, although by early the following century it referred to one who sold his soul.
Tasmanian devils have been known as such since 1829; prior to that the locals called it pourinnah or taraba.
Devil-worship is recorded from 1719.
She-devil is seen from 1840.
Bedevil is first recorded in 1768.
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