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You are here: Home / Language / How Did the Expression “Devil’s Advocate” Originate and What Does it Mean?

How Did the Expression “Devil’s Advocate” Originate and What Does it Mean?

May 12, 2020 by Karen Hill

During the Roman Catholic proceedings leading to the assignment of sainthood, a specific individual is given the job of investigating the candidate and the validity of any associated miracles.

He then argues vehemently against the canonization by denigrating the potential saint on behalf of the devil.

His official Vatican title is the “Devil’s Advocate.”

The expression is used for someone who challenges what appears to be an obvious truth.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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