In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, one of General Franco's commanders stated he had five columns attacking Madrid. 4 were of troops advancing upon the city; the 5th was of pro-Franco sympathizers operating inside Madrid. The phrases "Fifth Column" and "Fifth Columnists" came into common use during World War II to refer to enemy infiltrators and agents at liberty and at work in a supposedly-safe stronghold. The enemy within...

Early 80's to mid 90's Toronto band. Caroline Azar sang, GB Jones played bass, and Donna Dresch played guitar. A predecessor of Riot Grrrl and Homocore, The Fifth Column took their name to indicate their status as women, working inside the male dominated structures of punk rock to destroy male dominance. Their biggest hit, was the highly sarcastic "All Women are Bitches," released on K Records.