The Devil's pet names.
In the popular stories that evoke him in the 19th century, the devil is always quick to respond to those who invoke him, sometimes at the simple call of his name.
The reckless person who utters a phrase like : 'Que le Diable t'emporte !" (“May the Devil take you!”) exposes himself to seeing the Evil One arrive, because he will be taken at his word.
This is why the devil is the one we do not name, for fear of receiving his visit. “He”, “Him”, “The other” are often enough to tell about his misdeeds.
But is also the subject of nicknames. Some emphasize its evil nature such as the "Evil"(Le "Malin") the "Bad" (le "Mauvais") or the "Naughty" (le "Vilain"), the "Evil Spirit" (le "Méchant Esprit" (Dordogne), the "Grippi": the one who grabs, or even the “Great Accursed” (le "Grand Maudit".)
Others focus on its appearance. Such as "the Biquiou", the "Great Goat" (le "Grand Bouc"), the "Pilou" (a term used to designate goats in Ariège), the "Cornu" (Pyrenees).
Some nicknames have a more familiar character. Everywhere in France we also call him the "Mate", the "Partner in crime" : le "Compère”...
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[Excerpt from M.C Delmas, on Mysterious France, and my discussions with my Grandmother <3. Pic @BNF ]