👏 Coals to Newcastle: The Art of Futility Explored 🚢
Doing something utterly unnecessary, much like bringing coals to Newcastle, can feel a lot like arranging a sit-down session with a mind reader… on the phone.
Definition
Coals to Newcastle, to carry/bring - To do something that is unnecessary, redundant, or superfluous. The metaphor draws from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a city in northeastern England famous for its productive coal mines.
Similar Expressions
- French: Porter de l’eau à la rivière (To carry water to the river)
- German: Eulen nach Athen tragen (To carry owls to Athens)
- Spanish: Vender hielo a los esquimales (To sell ice to the Eskimos)
- Turkish: Dere kenarına su taşımak (To carry water to the riverside)
- Italian: Portare vasi a Samo (To bring vases to Samos)
Synonyms
- Redundant
- Superfluous
- Unnecessary
- Pointless
Antonyms
- Essential
- Necessary
- Needed
- Crucial
Humorous Quotes
- “Carrying coals to Newcastle? Sounds like bringing a dictionary to a spelling bee.” - Jestie McPunster
- “Bringing coals to Newcastle: the career plan of my GPS when I don’t need directions.” - Naomi Nomad
Related Proverbs and Expressions
- “Preaching to the choir” - Addressing a group of people who already agree with the speaker’s message.
- “Like sand to the beach” - Bringing a surplus item to a place where that item is already abundant.
Literature, Books, and References
- “The Noonday Demon” by Andrew Solomon - Addresses various human conditions, including repetitive or redundant actions as a part of mental health struggles.
- “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller - The quintessential novel that showcases the futility of certain bureaucratic operations.
Inspirational and Thought-Provoking Farewell
“Embrace purpose over redundancy, finding value in each step, and a destination that truly needs your coals.” - E. T. Musington
Quizzes
### Which phrase also means taking something unnecessary?
- [ ] Sending bees to beekeepers
- [x] Carrying coals to Newcastle
- [ ] Feeding fish with saltwater
- [ ] Giving flowers to trees
> **Explanation:** "Carrying coals to Newcastle" refers to doing something redundant or unnecessary, similar to the phrase used in different languages.
### What does the idiom 'carrying owls to Athens' mean?
- [x] Engaging in a pointless action
- [ ] Starting an argument
- [ ] Traveling without a destination
- [ ] Cooking something without ingredients
> **Explanation:** The idiom 'carrying owls to Athens' has the same meaning as 'carrying coals to Newcastle,' indicating a redundant or futile action.
### True or False: The idiom 'to sell ice to the Eskimos' denotes an unnecessary activity
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Absolutely true! 'Selling ice to the Eskimos' is a way of saying that an action is utterly redundant or pointless.
### Complete the French equivalent of carrying coals to Newcastle: Porter de l'eau ____
- [ ] à la montagne
- [ ] à la terre
- [x] à la rivière
- [ ] à l'océan
> **Explanation:** The French phrase "porter de l'eau à la rivière" means "to carry water to the river," similar to carrying coals to Newcastle.
### In which city would it be redundant to bring vases?
- [ ] Rome
- [ ] Venice
- [x] Samos
- [ ] Paris
> **Explanation:** In Italian, "portare vasi a Samo" means bringing vases to the Greek island of Samos, an activity considered unnecessarily redundant.
Enjoy the explorations of language—as whimsical, practical, absurd, or inspirational as they may be.
