5 second rule

The window of opportunity for picking up food you dropped on the ground, dusting it off and eating it.

Person 1 - Drops sandwich
Person 2: "It's still good... 5 second rule!"

by Kim July 10, 2004

5 second rule

When one accidently drops food, not held in a container or wrapper, on the ground. The rule states that if you pick it up within 5 seconds, it won't be contaminated. There is also a '10 second rule' variation. Unfortunately, both rules are urban legends -- The speed with which you can pick the food article back up has no bearing on whether it may receive germs.

Person A: "Crap, dropped a cookie."
Person B: "5 second rule!!"
Person A scrambles to pick up food article

by Ryan Thompson July 9, 2004

5 second rule

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.

I'll bet that fat kid eats the cookie he dropped on the floor even though the 5 second rule is up.

by Timothy Paul July 9, 2004

5 second rule

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.

Oh no i dropped a skittle, its only been 3 seconds, its still good.

by Nathan Charette July 10, 2004

5 second rule

applies to how long a food that has been dropped on the ground is edible.

don't touch it, mario dropped that a minute ago! hey, dude, 5 second rule.

by Erin July 10, 2004

5 second rule

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.

*drops an ice lolly*
"FIVE SECOND RULE!"
*picks it up, brushes it off, sticks in mouth*

by Nadia July 9, 2004

5 second rule

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 9, 2004