Enough to sink a battleship

[forshore]

Does anyone klnow the origin of the phrase :
enough to sink a battleship?

[Quizmonster]

A battleship is, of course, very large, so sinking it would require an extremely large amount of water or other weight. This is why we use the phrase "enough to sink a battleship" to describe the amount consumed when someone has eaten or drunk vast quantities of food or alcohol, for example.

As to the origin, the word 'battleship' itself dates back to the late 18th century, so it might have appeared at any time since then, as it has become almost a proverb nowadays.

[chinadoll]

Also used int he 1970's in comic book charachter....Alf Tupper "the tough of the track" Alf was renowned for being able to run and win races "even after eating enough chips to sink a battleship" ...

[jock]

Further to the answers above... It also sounds like a line from the old Scouts campfire song...

"There were chips, chips,
To sink a battleship...

In the stores, in the stores!"

Other lines included

"there was Kaa, Kaa,
In Knickers & a bra...

etc, etc, wich reduced us young cubs to fits of giggling!