ProverbWisdomEnglish origin1583

Like carrying coals to Newcastle.

Meaning: Supplying something to a place already abundant in it wastes effort and resources foolishly.

Origin: Newcastle upon Tyne was England's great coal port from the Middle Ages, shipping coal down the coast to London and beyond. Taking coal there was the height of pointlessness. The first record is in the diary of the Scottish reformer James Melvill in 1583, who used "coals to Newcastle" to translate the ancient Greek "owls to Athens."

Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

Browse all tongue twisters →

Keep exploring

Explore all proverbs →