five-second rule
noun› Any rule that allows or prohibits certain…
1
Informal The belief that food dropped on the ground is still hygienic to eat provided it is picked up within five seconds of touching the ground.
- Accompanied by six graphs, two tables and equations whose terms include “bologna” and “carpet,” it’s a thorough microbiological study of the five-second rule: the idea that if you pick up a dropped piece of food before you can count to five, it’s O.K. to eat it.2007-05-09, Harold McGee, The New York Times, "The Five-Second Rule Explored, or How Dirty Is That Bologna?", page F3
- UNFORTUNATELY, THE FIVE-SECOND RULE IS A MYTH.2010, Sandy Donovan, Does an Apple a Day Keep the Doctor Away?:
2 more examples
- Here are five facts to remember for those who are tempted to apply the five-second rule.2012, William A. Dando, Food and Famine in the 21st Century, page 201:
- Often, people call out the five-second rule because they think that if you get food off the floor quickly enough, there won't be any germs on it.2015, Curious George Discovers Germs:
2
Ball games, Basketball, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports A rule that a closely-guarded player cannot hold the ball for more than five seconds without dribbling, passing, rolling, or shooting the ball.
3
Ball games, Basketball, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports A rule that a player who throws in the ball from out of bounds must get rid of it in less than five seconds.
- Related terms
- two-second rule, three-second rule, ten-second rule