The fifth corner in the house: where is it?

There are many signs, proverbs and sayings of the Russian people associated with the corners of the house. These include the desire to find your own corner, and the common phrase-message about finding the fifth corner in the house. Let's figure out where this concept came from and where this place is located.

Where is the fifth corner in the house?

Of course, in a classic house with four walls there cannot be a fifth corner. It’s just that at some certain moment this phrase appeared in the speech, which had not a direct, but an allegorical meaning. But there is no unambiguous interpretation of this phraseological unit. The most popular interpretation is one that equates these words with the concept of an “empty” activity. Often in the old days this was said to a lazy person and a slacker, comparing his idleness to searching for a non-existent place. That is, this phrase can be literally translated as “stop doing nonsense and messing around.” Now let's look at the remaining explanations that are often used.

Various versions

The phrase takes on another meaning when it is used in a threatening context. It means that the opponent is threatened with physical harm, which can render him incapacitated. According to some experts, the “fifth corner” received this definition because of its ephemerality and illusory nature.

Attention! Sometimes this is a warning to a person about the inadmissibility of his actions with a request to leave, to disappear out of sight.

The phrase has a completely different meaning in a criminal environment.Among adherents of criminal culture, the fifth corner means a quiet, calm place in which you can hide from the attention of law enforcement agencies and wait out turbulent times.

So, having heard this saying, you should not look for a fifth corner in your home. Just interrupt the conversation with your opponent. After all, as they say, the one who ends the quarrel is the one who is smarter. And in the great and mighty Russian language there are many more equally interesting, mysterious and incomprehensible phrases. But that is another story.