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You are here: Home / Language / Where does the term “fifth wheel” come from and What does fifth wheel mean?

Where does the term “fifth wheel” come from and What does fifth wheel mean?

July 18, 2020 by Karen Hill

Nowadays used contemptuously or at least disrespectfully of a person or thing as useless or needless as an extra wheel for the support of a vehicle ordinarily running on four.

But in original use the term “fifth wheel” was applied to a metal wheel or circular plate (sometimes a segment of one) having an important service and never touching the ground.

It lay horizontally beneath the forward part of the body of a wagon or carriage and was attached to the upper side of the front axle, thus supporting the body while the vehicle turned a corner or the like.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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