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

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

5 second rule

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

5 second rule

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.

Dude! I dropped my Dorito! Five second rule...still good.

by quetzalphoenix July 10, 2004