Here is an illustration of the idiom “sell ice to an Eskimo” from the book Speaking Phrases Boricua. I have noticed that depending on the country there are a couple of variations in Spanish. Many variations will depend on the local word for refrigerator in Spanish.
Sell Ice to an Eskimo Idiom in Spanish
• Here are 5 variations in Spanish for the same idiom:
1. Vender hielo a un esquimal
2. Vender un refrigerador a un esquimal (general)
3. Vender una nevera a un esquimal (the word nevera is used in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela, to mention some examples)
4. Vender un frigorífico a un esquimal (the word frigorífico is used in Spain and some countries in South America)
5. Vender una heladera a un esquimal (I’ve heard the word heladera in Argentina and Uruguay)
• Meaning:
Describes a person that can sell anything to anyone, even if they don’t need it.
• Examples:
La vendedora de Allo Martínez es capaz de venderle hielo a un esquimal.
— PiesReef (@PiesReef) May 23, 2014
Tengo una labia tan buena, que puedo venderle un refrigerador a un esquimal! #TweetEgocentrico A 1 Persona no le gusta esto…
— Bryant Gonzalez (@Hawkstein) May 15, 2013
El padre de Neymar es capaz de venderle una nevera a un esquimal.
— De Madrid al cielo. (@DiezCopas) July 3, 2014
#FF @phampyk Porque ha reconocido mi habilidad de venderle un frigorífico a un esquimal. Y eso que no me ha visto en acción
— José Ignacio (@Alan_D_Gray) August 13, 2010
Este tipo es un grosso en serio. Es capaz de venderle una heladera a un esquimal.
— Joaquin Azcurrain (@JoaquinitoAzcu) July 30, 2014
Check out the English Spanish articles for more idiomatic expressions.