A guess

Posted by Andrew on February 27, 2000

In Reply to: A guess posted by ESC on February 27, 2000

: : : Does anyone know why people refer to semi-civilized, kind of mismatched societies as "Banana Republics"? It seems odd, I heard it stated that it's because bananas are majorly consumed in lower class countries, but I would be hesitant to believe that.
: : : I think it relates to another phrase "Quit monkeying around" meaning fooling around or not to be taken seriously. Bananas were always associated with monkeys who (stereotypically) eat them. And when we think of monkeys, we usually think of the sillyness they portray. I also heard that that bananas grow wild in a bunch thus--another phrase "Are you bananas?" (crazy). "Sit tight" I'll see what I could find.

: Does "banana republic" refer to the old all-powerful fruit companies?

I was always under the impression it was used because a lot of countries like that grow bananas as their main resource. A lot of tropical island, that really don't have much of a 'civilized' government.

• United Fruit Co. ESC
  • United Fruit Co. Steve McHugh
    • United Fruit Co. Barney
      • United Fruit Co. Tomar
        • United Fruit Co. Bob