The devil is in the detail

"The devil is in the detail" is an idiom that refers to a catch or mysterious element hidden in the details,[1] meaning that something might seem simple at a first look but will take more time and effort to complete than expected[2] and derives from the earlier phrase, "God is in the detail" expressing the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; i.e. details are important.[1]

Origin

The idiom, "God is in the detail" has been attributed to a number of different individuals, most notably to German-born architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969) by The New York Times in Mies's 1969 obituary; however, it is generally accepted not to have originated with him. The expression also appears to have been a favorite of German art historian Aby Warburg (1866–1929), though Warburg's biographer, E. H. Gombrich, is likewise uncertain if it originated with Warburg. An earlier form, "Le bon Dieu est dans le détail" ("the good God is in the detail") is generally attributed to Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880).[1] Bartlett's Familiar Quotations lists the saying's author as anonymous.[3] The phrase is attested in 1965;[4] in 1969, it is referred to as an existing proverb.[5]

Variants

The phrase has several variants: (The/A) Devil (is) in the Detail(s). The original expression as, "God is in the detail" most likely had the expression ending with "detail" (without an "s"), colloquial usage often ends the idiom as "details"; where the word "detail" without an "s" can be used as both a singular and collective noun.[6] However, the singular word "detail" has evolved to mean other terms in some cultures, such as a military security detail as a duty assignment, or detailing a car as cleaning or polishing a vehicle ("to detail"), and so the plural form, "details" has been used to more clearly indicate the finer points of a topic.

More recently, the expressions "Governing (is) in the Detail(s)" and "(The) Truth (is) in the Detail(s)" have appeared.[1]

In other languages

Various expressions are used to convey similar idioms in other languages:

  • Bulgarian: Малките камъчета преобръщат колата. – Small pebbles flip the wagon.
  • Chinese: 魔鬼在細節裡。 - The devil is in the details.
  • Czech: Ďábel je skryt v detailu. - The devil is hidden in the detail.
  • German: Der Teufel steckt im Detail. - The devil is located in the details.
  • Hungarian: Az ördög a részletekben rejlik. - The devil is hidden in the details.
  • Italian: Il diavolo sta nei dettagli. - The devil is in the details.
  • Norwegian: Djevelen ligger i detaljene. - The devil is in the details.
  • Polish: Diabeł tkwi w szczegółach. - The devil is located in the details.
  • Russian: Дьявол прячется в мелочах. – Diablo hides in trivia.
  • Slovak: Diabol je skrytý v detailoch. - The devil is hidden in the detail.
  • Spanish: El diablo está en los detalles. - The devil is in the details
  • Swedish: Djävulen sitter i detaljerna. - The devil sits in the details.

References
  1. Titelman, Gregory, Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings, Random House Reference, March 5, 1996
  2. http://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/the-devil-is-in-the-detail
  3. Bartlett, John, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature. 17th ed., Little, Brown and Company. November 2002.
  4. Newsweek. Volume 65, Part 1. Newsweek Inc. 1965. p.173.
  5. Electrical Safety: Portable Tools and Mobile Appliances; Proceedings of a Symposium, International Labour Office, 1969, p. 102
  6. "Detail | Define Detail at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 2012-07-15.

Sources
  • Bartlett, John, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature, 17th ed., Little, Brown and Company, November 2002
  • Titelman, Gregory, Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings, Random House Reference, March 5, 1996
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