The or a devil of [a thing], adj. and adv. (colloquial).—An indefinite
intensitive: e.g., devil of a mess, of a woman, of a row, etc.
1602. Shakspeare, Twelfth Night, ii., 3. The devil, a puritan that
he is, or anything constantly.
1836. Michael Scott, Cruise of the Midge [ed. 1860], p. 102. a
devil of a good fight he made of it.
1836. Michael Scott, Cruise of the Midge [ed. 1860], p. 298. The
devil a thing was there in sight, not even a small white speck of a
sail.
American devil, subs. phr. (workmen’s).—A steam whistle or ‘hooter’;
used in place of a bell for summoning to work.
1872. Manchester Guardian, 24 Sept. Mr. Powell’s Bill contains
abundant powers for suppressing the vile nuisance known as the
American devil, and should any man suffer from it in future he will
have nobody to thank but himself.
Blue devils.—See ante.
Little (or young) devil, subs. phr. (common).—A half playful, half
sarcastic, address; a term of endearment; e.g., you little devil. Cf.,
you young tinker.
1841. R. B. Peake, Court and City, Act i., Sc. 1. My wife was such
an unreasonable little devil, as to ask me forty questions about my
staying out so late.
Verb (common).—1. To act as a devil (q.v., subs.); to perform routine
or detail work for another.
1872. Daily Telegraph, 30 Nov. Letter, ‘Called to the Bar.’ Then I
took legislative rambles in the Courts, so that I might see
practice, and that practitioners might see me; and then I devilled
and reported a little.
1883. Graphic, 12 May, p. 478, col. 2. The practice prevailing
among eminent counsel of undertaking more cases than they can
possibly manage, and handing over some to the juniors who devil for
them.