coals to Newcastle

== English == === Etymology === From the importance of Newcastle upon Tyne to the English coal industry. === Pronunciation === === Noun === coals to Newcastle pl (plural only) (idiomatic) A pointless venture, in the sense of sending something to a place where it is made, or where they already have an abundance. Synonym: owls to Athens 1935, attributed to King George V of the United Kingdom but possibly a then-circulating joke (see notes at Wikiquote): No more coals to Newcastle, no more Hoares to Paris. 1998 May 6, Douglas Watkinson & al., "Death in Disguise", Midsomer Murders: Honestly, sir. Your wife? Assertion training? Coals to Newcastle, surely. ==== Related terms ==== carry coals to Newcastle === Further reading === coals to Newcastle on Wikipedia.Wikipedia