selling ice to Eskimos
Convincing unnecessary purchases
Selling ice to Eskimos describes persuading someone to buy something they already have in abundance or clearly don't need.
The phrase celebrates (or mocks) extreme salesmanship: That guy could sell ice to Eskimos.
It implies either impressive persuasive skill or cynical manipulation, depending on context.
The expression is falling out of favor as *Eskimo* becomes dated.
- charismaMagnetic personal appeal
- gift of gabNatural speaking ability
- smooth talkerPersuasive, often insincere speaker
- coldLow temperature state
- pitchFrequency of sound
hard sell · ice · surplus · paradox · incongruity · negotiation · redundancy · snake-oil · snake oil salesman · confidence trick · coals to Newcastle · absurdity · oversupply · chutzpah · hyperbole · humor · excess · superfluity