coals to Newcastle
English
Phrase
Definition
- Increasing the supply to an already oversupplied market.
- Any foolhardy or pointless action.
Etymology
Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom was traditionally a coal mining centre that exported coal throughout the East of England.
Timothy Dexter, an American businessman, did export coal to Newcastle at a large profit during a mining strike. This increased his reputation as an eccentric, but extremely lucky, businessman.