carry coals to Newcastle

Norwegian translation: gå over bekken etter vann

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English term or phrase:	carry coals to Newcastle
Norwegian translation:	gå over bekken etter vann
Entered by:	Roald Toskedal

16:49 May 12, 2004

English to Norwegian translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

English term or phrase: carry coals to Newcastle

No context needed really. The Germans say "carry owls to Athens". It just means that you give someone something they already have. Can anyone out there help me fast with the Norwegian equivalent? I want to integrate it into a speech that will be given in English in Norway tomorrow.

Colin Newberry KudoZ activity Questions: 11 (none open) Answers: 240
Local time: 14:07

gå over bekken etter vann

Explanation:
Admittedly, this is not a 100% equivalent saying, but it conveys a similar notion of something unnecessary/futile. Literally: "Crossing the stream/creek in search of water".

Selected response from:

Roald Toskedal
Norway
Local time: 14:07

Grading comment

Thanks, I'll take this answer because I need sth fast and understand the (English) explanation.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

Man skal ikke bære mel til møllerens hus / - tømmer til Norge

Tore Bjerkek

3 +2

Selge sand til Sahara

anebjordal

3 +1

gå over bekken etter vann

Roald Toskedal

Answers

13 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

gå over bekken etter vann

Explanation:
Admittedly, this is not a 100% equivalent saying, but it conveys a similar notion of something unnecessary/futile. Literally: "Crossing the stream/creek in search of water".

Reference: http://www.ordtak.net/utrykk.htm

Roald Toskedal
Norway
Local time: 14:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: Norwegian
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Thanks, I'll take this answer because I need sth fast and understand the (English) explanation.

14 mins confidence:

carry coals to newcastle Man skal ikke bære mel til møllerens hus / - tømmer til Norge

Explanation:
An other expression for reduncancy could be
"å tisse i havet" men det passer vel ikke under alle omstendigheter.
Men man skal ikke selge hvetebrød til bakerens barn
eller bære lys til solen, vann til havet, tømmer til Norge, mel til møllerens hus, øl til München osv.

Tore Bjerkek
Canada
Local time: 08:07
Native speaker of:

Norwegian
PRO pts in category: 4

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

carry coals to newcastle Selge sand til Sahara

Explanation:
ingen kommentarer

anebjordal
Ecuador
Local time: 07:07
Native speaker of:

Norwegian

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carry coals to Newcastle

Norwegian translation: gå over bekken etter vann

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Norwegian translation: gå over bekken etter vann

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