I was talking with a friend who mentioned "taking tea to India". It made me wonder what the equivalents are around the world. "Taking coals to Newcastle" is the UK's.

    • Xavienth@lemmygrad.ml
      ·
      6 months ago

      Seems like that should actually be quite a useful task in the Netherlands considering all the polders!

  • LaGG_3 [he/him, comrade/them]
    ·
    6 months ago

    I think "selling ice to Eskimos" is the American equivalent. Naturally, the amerikkka version of this phrase: 1) involves an exonym that's a bit offensive 2) kinda makes doing a pointless exercise sound like a good thing.

  • SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social
    ·
    6 months ago

    We also use "taking coals to Newcastle" here in the Midwestern U.S. (Something about being descended from former British colonies...) But I've heard plenty of riffs on that idea, like, "bringing corn to Iowa."

  • frightful_hobgoblin@lemmy.ml
    ·
    6 months ago

    When I first heard this phrase, Andy Cole was playing for Newcastle and it was very confusing to me wee mind... Cole's to Newcastle what?

  • frightful_hobgoblin@lemmy.ml
    ·
    6 months ago

    We would say ag tabhairt liúdar go Toraigh (carrying coalfish (pollachius virens) to Tory Island)

    Or ag cuimilt saille/blonóige de thóin na muice méithe (rubbing lard on a fat pig's arse)

  • SexMachineStalin [comrade/them]
    ·
    6 months ago

    Bringing even more ukkkraine flags to :estonia-cool: especially in the last 2 years. The flags and colours are bloody everywhere and not one has been removed.