10 things that are named after the Devil
Our everyday language is quietly crowded with the name devil, revealing how fear, humor, and history still shape what we eat, grow, and believe.
We often use the devil’s name for things that aren’t actually evil or scary at all. Sometimes it is about heat, and sometimes it is just a bit of mischief. Language has a funny way of painting pictures with words that stick around forever. It is fascinating how many everyday items carry such a spooky label.
From spicy foods to strange animals, these names pop up everywhere in our daily lives. You might be surprised to learn the history behind some of these standard titles. We are going to dig into the stories that gave these things their wicked handles. Get ready to look at your lunch and your garden a little differently.
Devil’s Food Cake
This chocolatey treat is the direct opposite of the light and airy Angel Food Cake. It got its name because it is rich, dark, and famously sinful to eat. The deep color originally came from a chemical reaction with baking soda.
Recipes for this dessert began appearing in cookbooks around the early 1900s. It stands out because it usually has more chocolate than regular cakes do. Most bakers agree that the dense texture is what makes it feel so indulgent.
Tasmanian Devil
These little marsupials from Australia scream loud enough to scare anyone in the dark. Early settlers thought they sounded like demons hiding in the bushland at night. Despite their tiny size, they pack the strongest bite of any living mammal.
The Guinness Book of Records confirms that their bite force quotient is 181. That is remarkably high, given that they are roughly the size of a small dog. Sadly, a facial tumor disease has wiped out much of their population.
Deviled Eggs
You cannot go to a summer barbecue in the South without seeing a tray of these. The term refers to spicy or zesty ingredients used in cooking. Food historians say the word appeared in print as early as 1786.
It originally meant cooking something with high heat or heavily seasoning it with pepper. Now it just means scooping out yolks and mixing them with mayo and mustard. We kept the fiery name even though the modern version is relatively mild.
Devil’s Tower
This massive rock formation in Wyoming is famous for appearing in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. President Theodore Roosevelt declared it the very first National Monument back in 1906. Indigenous tribes have their own sacred names for it, like Bear Lodge.
It stands an impressive 867 feet tall from its base to the flat summit. Geologists still debate exactly how the igneous rock formed millions of years ago. Climbers flock there every year to scale those striking vertical columns.
Dust Devil
These swirling columns of wind look like tornadoes but are usually harmless and sunny. They form when hot air rises quickly through a pocket of cooler air above it. You will mostly see them dancing across dry fields or desert areas.
While usually small, the National Weather Service notes they can reach speeds of 60 mph. They pick up dust and debris, which makes the funnel visible to us. They vanish just as quickly as they appear on a hot afternoon.
The Jersey Devil
Folklore says this creature haunts the Pine Barrens of New Jersey with its bat wings. The legend claims it was the thirteenth child of a woman named Mother Leeds. It supposedly flew up the chimney moments after being born in 1735.
During one week in January 1909, newspapers reported hundreds of alleged sightings across the state. Schools actually closed, and workers stayed home out of fear of the beast. Even today, people still claim to spot strange shadows in those woods.
Devil’s Ivy
This houseplant, also known as Pothos, is nearly impossible to kill. It earned its sinister nickname because it stays green even in the dark. It grows so aggressively that it can choke out native plants in the wild.
Many gardeners love it because it purifies the air inside their homes. You can forget to water it for weeks, and it will likely survive just fine. This resilience makes it the perfect starter plant for people with brown thumbs.
Thorny Devil
This Australian lizard looks intimidating with spikes covering its entire upper body. The false head on its neck confuses predators when the lizard lowers its real head. Those spikes act like straws, channeling water straight to its mouth.
It survives in the desert by collecting dew or rain on its skin. The water moves through tiny grooves between its scales via capillary action. Despite its scary appearance, this little reptile only eats ants and is harmless.
Devil’s Advocate
We use this phrase when arguing the opposite side to test a theory. It comes from a real job within the Catholic Church, which started in 1587. The official title was “Promoter of the Faith,” and they opposed sainthood.
Their job was to find reasons to doubt that a candidate should become a saint. This process stopped people from being canonized without a proper investigation of miracles. Pope John Paul II significantly reduced the role’s power in 1983.
Devil Rays
These sea creatures got their name from the horn-like fins on their heads. Sailors used to think they were monsters that could drag ships down. In reality, they are gentle filter feeders that pose no threat to humans.
Known scientifically as Mobula rays, they are famous for leaping out of the water. Some species can jump more than 6 feet into the air before splashing down. Scientists think this acrobatic behavior helps them communicate or remove parasites.
15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love
The 15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love
Love is a complex, beautiful emotion that inspires profound behaviors. We express our love in various ways, some universal and others unique to each individual. Among these expressions, there are specific actions women often reserve for the men they deeply love.
This piece explores 15 unique gestures women make when they’re in love. From tiny, almost invisible actions to grand declarations, each tells a story of deep affection and unwavering commitment.
