Origin of "third world country"

Posted by Rhys Watkins on May 09, 2003

In Reply to: Origin of "third world country" posted by chas on May 08, 2003

: what is the origin of "third world country"?

The phrase third world country derives from the previous states of the known world 1 the old world, essentially the Europe prior to Columbus to which was added 2.the New world of the Americas even if he may nit have been the first European there. To this is added the phrase third world meaning new lands not inluded in the above. It has however come to mean any undeveloped land in poor financial status. I hope this is helpful.