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United Fruit Co.

Posted by Steve McHugh on February 29, 2000

In Reply to: United Fruit Co. posted by ESC on February 28, 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.

: I believe this is the answer:
: BANANA REPUBLIC:
: THE UNITED FRUIT COMPANY
: www.mayaparadise.net/ufc1e.htm
: The history of banana growing in Central America is closely tied to the history of politics in the same area from the 1880's through the 1970's. Prior to 1870, bananas were unknown in the United States. The first bananas were imported to the U.S. in 1870 and just 28 years later, Americans in the U.S. were consuming over 16 million bunches a year. The story begins in 1871 with the construction of a railroad in Costa Rica by an industrious 23 year old from Brooklyn named Minor Keith. The project cost hundreds of lives, including the lives of his two brothers. Keith was a man who would do anything to advance his own interests. He even married the daughter of the Costa Rican President. His efforts paid off and eventually he earned the title "The Uncrowned King of Central America".
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That doesn't help...am I the only one who doesn't see the words "Banana Republic" in that whole article?

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