Origin of phrase "Banana Republic"

[Pat Hartman]

I just read an article that explained where this phrase came from. Apparently the term was coined by the American author O. Henry in his 1904 novel "Cabbages and Kings". The novel is set in a fictional central American country (likely Honduras) led by a ruling class that exerts absolute power over an impoverished country engulfed in chaos.

Some key elements of a Banana Republic are:

• Protected Ruling Class
• Dual System of Justice
• Rise of Political Elites
• Civil Unrest and Revolt

Sound familiar?

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Soon, All you Americans will be walking around holding a banana instead of a Colt 45....

 

[Pat Hartman]

Do you have any idea how big and heavy a Colt 45 is?

 

[moke123]

Do you have any idea how big and heavy a Colt 45 is?

About 12 Ounces.

 

[NauticalGent]

About 12 Ounces.

View attachment 114150

And who says Moke has no sense of humor?!?

 

[Steve R.]

I just read an article that explained where this phrase came from. Apparently the term was coined by the American author O. Henry in his 1904 novel "Cabbages and Kings". The novel is set in a fictional central American country (likely Honduras) led by a ruling class that exerts absolute power over an impoverished country engulfed in chaos.

Some key elements of a Banana Republic are:

• Protected Ruling Class
• Dual System of Justice
• Rise of Political Elites
• Civil Unrest and Revolt

Sound familiar?

• Using the power-of-the-state to take-out political opponents through lawfare.

 

[Pat Hartman]

Notice how they carefully avoid the use of lawfare against the evil orange man. Wikipedia sucks. They've gone down the same dishonest road that 60 minutes travelled.