coals

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | 570 words | Copyright

coals carry coals to Newcastle to provide a commodity already in abundant supply; the expression ‘as common as coals from Newcastle’ is recorded from the early 17th century, and ‘carry coals to Newcastle’ from the mid 17th century.
haul someone over the coals reprimand someone severely; the original reference is to the treatment of heretics, as in a comment attributed to Cardinal Allen (1532–94).
heap coals of fire on a person's head cause remorse by returning good for evil; the reference is originally biblical, to Romans 12:20.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "coals." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "coals." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-coals.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "coals." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-coals.html

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