five-by-five

[drea]

What does the saying five-by-five mean? How did it originate?

[xyzzyplugh]

Only one I know is for radio reception 'receiving you 5 by 5' Meaning modulation or sound quality 5 out of 5 (max) and signal 5 out of 5. Both on a scale of 1 to 5. Simply, perfect audio and signal.

[Quizmonster]

Click http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=2
0000323 for an answer that expands a bit on Xyz's excellent suggestion about "loud and clear".

[Joe Carranza]

It's radio jargon . . . two catagories of measuring Volume and Tone - 0-10 equals weak to very loud and 0-10 means too mjch treble vs too much bass - therefore 5:5 means perfect volume and tone.