Eskimo

(one) could sell snow to Eskimos

One is such an exceptionally smooth, charming, or persuasive salesperson that one could sell something to people who have no need or use for it. The phrase alludes to the various indigenous peoples of the traditionally cold, snowy northern circumpolar regions of the globe, who thus would have no shortage of (and no need to buy) snow. It should be used with caution, though, as the term "Eskimo" is considered by some to be offensive or derogatory. I can't believe you were able to sell an extra 200 units to the hospital. You could sell snow to Eskimos!

See also: could, Eskimo, sell, snow, to

(someone) could sell an icebox to an Eskimo

Someone is an extremely smooth, charming, or persuasive salesperson, such that they could sell something to those who have no need or use for it. (The phrase should be used with caution, as the term "Eskimo" is considered by some to be offensive or derogatory. It alludes to the various indigenous peoples of the traditionally cold, snowy northern circumpolar regions of the globe, who thus would have no reason to buy an icebox.) I can't believe you were able to sell an extra 200 units to the hospital. You could sell an icebox to an Eskimo!

See also: could, Eskimo, sell, to

(someone) could sell freezers to Eskimos

One is such an exceptionally smooth, charming, or persuasive salesperson that one could sell something to people who have no need or use for it. The phrase alludes to the various indigenous peoples of the traditionally cold, snowy northern circumpolar regions of the globe, who thus would have no shortage of (and no need to buy) snow. It should be used with caution, though, as the term "Eskimo" is considered by some to be offensive or derogatory. I can't believe you were able to sell an extra 200 units to the hospital. You could freezers snow to Eskimos!

See also: could, Eskimo, freezer, sell, to

(someone) could sell ice to Eskimos

Someone is an extremely smooth, charming, or persuasive salesperson, such that they could sell something to people who have no need or use for it. (The phrase alludes to the various indigenous peoples of the traditionally cold, snowy northern circumpolar regions of the globe, who thus would have no shortage of (and no need to buy) ice. It should be used with caution, though, as the term "Eskimo" is considered by some to be offensive or derogatory. ) I can't believe you were able to sell an extra 200 units to the hospital. You could sell ice to Eskimos!

See also: could, Eskimo, ice, sell, to

Eskimo(s) have (some amount of) words for snow

cliché Used in humorous conjunction with a fact or speculation that some group of people has an inordinate number of ways to name, describe, or talk about some specific thing or topic. Derived from the popular but erroneous belief that the Yupik and Inuit languages of the indigenous peoples of the northern circumpolar region (commonly described collectively as "Eskimo" or "Eskimos") contain an unusually large number of words to name or describe snow. The use of the term "Eskimo" by non-indigenous speakers may be considered offensive. If Eskimos have 100 words for snow, Americans have as many words for money. Eskimo may have dozens of words for snow, but the hipsters in this city have just as many for coffee.

See also: amount, for, have, snow, word

sell freezers to Eskimos

To persuade those who have no need or use for something to buy it, typically because one is such a charming and convincing salesperson. The phrase alludes to the various indigenous peoples of the traditionally cold, snowy northern circumpolar regions of the globe, who thus would have no shortage of (and no need to buy) snow. It should be used with caution, though, as the term "Eskimo" is considered by some to be offensive or derogatory. I can't believe you were able to sell an extra 200 units to the hospital. I bet you'd be able to sell freezers to Eskimos!

See also: Eskimo, freezer, sell, to

sell snow to Eskimos

To persuade those who have no need or use for something to buy it, typically because one is such a charming and convincing salesperson. The phrase alludes to the various indigenous peoples of the traditionally cold, snowy northern circumpolar regions of the globe, who thus would have no shortage of (and no need to buy) snow. It should be used with caution, though, as the term "Eskimo" is considered by some to be offensive or derogatory. I can't believe you were able to sell an extra 200 units to the hospital. I bet you'd be able to sell snow to Eskimos!

See also: Eskimo, sell, snow, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.