[ryandvm]

> Barber explained, it can be compared to a single string of spaghetti holding up 3,000 half-kilogram bags of sugar.

Heh. So... it can hold 3,000 things that weigh a half-kilogram? Also known as 1,500 kilograms.

What is it with the BBC's hilarious units of comparison? It has clearly become some sort of journalistic inside joke.

[vannevar]

For those unfamiliar with the metric system of measurement, this is equivalent to approximately 75,000 unladen swallows. Provided they are European swallows, of course.

[SAI_Peregrinus]

This assumes a 20g swallow. "European swallow" typically refers to the barn swallow, which ranges between 16 to 22g. So between 68,000 and 94,000 unladen swallows.