But "banana republic" was a fairly popular term in the last half of the last century used to describe several Central and South American countries that were unstable, typically ruled by wanna-be dictators and corrupt, but which were wholly owned and operated subsidiaries of United Fruit Company or Standard Fruit Company or one of their competitors.




Jeezus.  "...the last half of the last century...".  Suddenly I feel very old.

by EveningStarNM on 07/19/2009 04:31:25 AM EST

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I am a little too young to have that reference experienced first hand (I have seen "Bananas" by Woody Allen, though ;). That is exactly why I believe that he plays with the racial double-entendre. I may be mistaken, maybe everyone over 40-50 gets it right away but I think many people (especially less politically savvy) don't know or don't remember where the term originated.

by eborujion on 07/19/2009 04:47:45 AM EST

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