While watching a movie on TV last night, I came across Faith's phrase, "Five by five." An American military man was talking to a Soviet military man (the movie took place in the 50's). If I remember right, they both said id at the end of the conversation. It sounded like it meant they both understood what was being done, or it was the traditional sign off. Does anyonw have any info?
Do you mean what does five by five mean?
Yes, that's what I mean. I figured it was something that Faith made up, until I heard it in the movie.
I'm totally trying to figure it out, too. I just looked into a manual containing military radio codes this weekend, and I didn't see it...try checking ham radio codes, too. I will also. What was the name of the movie? what branch of the military were the people in? (Marines, army, navy etc) This is driving me nuts.
I tried a search on codes and lingo, ...no dice. gonna have to crack a book. there is a logic puzzle known as 5x5, though. Doesn't help much.
I found something on 5 by 5 in a magazine about Buffy... 5 b 5 means you're alright if I remmber right.
I mean, if you say "I'm 5 by 5" it means you're saying you're okay.
Yeah, I got that....what I want to know is the origin of the phrase itself. Was it lifted from code lingo, or did somebody just make it up and think it sounded cool? I'm totally fascinated by language and how words and phrases originate.
Just think, if Faith really was being literal,
she'd be one chunky, square chick. ;)
It was a TV movie-"Fail Safe" I think was the name. It was the live movie with George Clooney, Brian Dennehy, & a bunch of others. I think they were in the Army. I was doing other things while the movie was on, since the movie could have put me to sleep! But that phrase caught my attention.
It is also used in aviation. If you want a check on how your communication radio is being received, ask for a comm check. The response "five by five" means that its fine. Anything less than five by five means that it is either too soft, or a lot of background noise, or some other things.
So the next question is, where did Faith pick the phrase up? Did she watch old army men movies in her spare time? Or was she a military brat?
Not sure where Faith got it, but here is what it means.
Military radio check. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being the worst on how your signal is being received. It is Clear-Loud. So 5x5 is clear and loud whereas 1x1 would be staticy and muffled.
Been wondering that myself as well. But I just found the answer on this page so ty. I have heard this phrase in Aliens and Event Horizon.