English

Alternative forms

• carry coals to Newcastle

Noun

coals to Newcastle

1. (idiomatic) A pointless venture, in the sense of sending something to a place where it's made, or where they already have an abundance.
   • 1935, attributed to King George V of the United Kingdom (but possibly a then-circulating joke; see wikiquote):

     No more coals to Newcastle, no more Hoares to Paris

Translations

See also

• owls to Athens