The '5 second rule' applies when food comes into contact with an object that is tainted. If it is removed from the tainted object in 5 seconds or less, then the food is considered safe for human consumption and eaten as if nothing happened. If it stays on the tainted object for more than 5 seconds then it is considered unfit for human consumption and is discarded.
by Timothy Paul July 10, 2004
A unspoken rule where if any sort of food falls to the ground, if you pick it back up in 5 seconds or less it is still okay to eat.
by Nathan Charette July 10, 2004
by Erin July 10, 2004
The supposed amount of time (5 seconds)you have to pick up food after it's been dropped on the ground or floor. Allegedly, the bacteria doesn't get on it before 5 seconds is up so you can still eat it if you pick it up really quickly. Sadly, it's all bullshit and not true but it makes good for justification - mainly so people don't call you gross.
by Nadia July 10, 2004
when food falls to the ground from your mouth/hand/counter/etc if its down for less than 5 seconds its still okay to eat any longer and it is trash
I was eating my cookie,tripped,dropped it on the floor,but it was down for a second,and was still eatable.
by Iceey Baby July 10, 2004
Any food that has fallen on the ground is allowed a maximum of 5 seconds before it is left as trash.
Well...I picked up this banana before it was on the ground for longer than 5 seconds. That's the 5 second rule.
by Joel July 10, 2004
The tacit requirement in ultra-clean American society that dropped food must not lay upon the ground for longer than five seconds in order to be still edible. Certain requirements about food type (i.e., non-sticky or attracting of dirt particles) generally apply.
by quetzalphoenix July 10, 2004