What Is the Origin of the Saying "To Carry Coals to Newcastle"?
Newcastle upon Tyne (England) was a well-known coal-mining area and the United Kingdom's first coal exporting port. With so much coal already in Newcastle, taking more there was pointless.
Examples of Use:
- Bringing sand to the beach would be like carrying coals to Newcastle; it's unnecessary and redundant.
- Trying to sell umbrellas in Japan is like carrying coals to Newcastle; there's already an abundance of them.
- Teaching his team basic coding is like carrying coals to Newcastle; they are already programming experts.
- Transporting coal to a mining town would be like carrying coals to Newcastle; they already have an abundance of it.
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