(Romanian(?)) expression akin to "Running on paddlers' fins"?

Question

I was in a meeting today with a Romanian man, mid-40s, clearly well-educated. His first language was, I believe, Romanian. In any case, he used a lot of expressions as he spoke, and whilst they were all basic expressions one would hear from a native speaker, it struck me as pleasant that he spoke like this in what was, to him, a foreign language. A one point during the meeting, however, he used an expression which I believe was meant to indicate the futility of something - specifically, he said it was "[tantamount to] running on paddlers' fins". I had never heard this before so I jotted it down, but after the meeting, I couldn't find it anywhere! Has anyone heard this before? (The man was making Star Trek references and quotes in English, I don't think he just translated it on the spot, it flowed so naturally). Please help!

Is this an established expression?
What does it specifically mean?

rajah9 · Answer

Adding swim fins make a swimmer a more efficient swimmer. But donning them before a track event would be a disaster. The efficiency in one arena becomes a burden in another.
The bicycle is efficient; perhaps the most efficient mechanism ever devised.

(Exploratorium: Science of Cycling)
Like a fish needs a bicycle
Since it does not have legs and cannot pedal, a fish would gain no mechanical efficiency from the bicycle.

The expression like a fish needs a bicycle is a funny idiom to visualize, and it’s easy to figure out when you think about it.

Does a fish need a bicycle? Not at all.

Therefore, like a fish needs a bicycle is a simile that people can use when someone doesn’t need something at all.

(WritingExplained.org: What Does Like a Fish Needs a Bicycle mean?)
Consider a case where the grocery stores require a mask to enter, perhaps to reduce the spread of some communicable disease.
"Bill wore a hazmat suit to the grocery store to buy milk? Instead of an N95 mask??"
"Yep, like a fish needs a bicycle."

(Romanian(?)) expression akin to "Running on paddlers' fins"?

One Answer

Like a fish needs a bicycle

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