Noctuas Athenas Ferre
To carry coals to Newcastle. Athens abounded with owls, and
Minerva was therefore symbolised by an owl. To send owls to Athens
would be wasteful and extravagant excess.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Noctuas Athenas Ferre from Fact Monster:
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