In Reply to: Better the Devil you know posted by Lor on January 14, 2009 at 16:22:
: 'Better the Devil you know'. I know the meaning, but need the origin. Would it have been said in 1725 London or earlier?
This reference says 1539 and probably earlier. See archives:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/4/messages/711.html