Coals to Newcastle

The phrase carrying coals to Newcastle ( γλαῦκας εἰς Ἀθήνας κομίζειν or γλαῦκ Ἀθήναζε ἄγειν ) is a superfluous activity. It goes back to the ancient Greek poet Aristophanes, in his satirical comedy The Birds around 400 BC coined the phrase. There in verse 301 induced a flying owl with the following words, commented:

Owls that time there was a symbol of the goddess Athena, the patron goddess of the city, very many. The owl symbolizes wisdom, especially as it can see in the dark. As the Athenian figures show, it is a particular species of owl, the little owl (Athene noctua). Wolfgang Hildesheimer it has the ironic narrative "I wear an owl to Athens ' developed in which it is in fact an owl.

It is therefore possible to interpret the words as referring to the senseless activities to bring wisdom into the city. More likely, however, that he was referring to the coins, on which was emblazoned the animal. Aristophanes described it as superfluous, silver coins ( with the owl ) to send to the rich Athens. In verse 1106 he writes about: "An owl will never be lacking. "

The Roman historiography took over the saying as ululas Athenas. Over time, many other proverbs have formed on the basis of this dictum. Thus, the phrases were already in ancient Greece " fish bring the Hellespont " or " bring crocodiles to Egypt " known. More modern versions read about " beer to Munich bring ", " coals to Newcastle (or Birmingham) bear " (English: carry coals to Newcastle / Birmingham), " give the baker children sandwiches " or " with one's own samovar to Tula go " ( Russian saying, in the city of Tula, the tea known as samovars made ​​). Similarly, the Latin ligna is in silvam ( ferre ) " wood in the forest bear " ( Horace, Satires I, 10,34 ).

Furthermore, there are many particularly regionally and locally known variations, for example in Northern Germany " peat bog wearing the " Franconia " pour water into the Pegnitz " or in the Moselle Franconian " worm drive to Metz ."