banana republic

Definition

A small country, especially one in Central America or the West Indies, that is dependent on a single export commodity (traditionally bananas) and that has a corrupt, dictatorial government.

Etymology

Coined by American author O. Henry in 1901 in his short story Money Maze, set in the fictional "Anchuria", which was based on his 1896–97 stay in Honduras.

Example Sentences

• "At that time we had a treaty with about every foreign country except Belgium, and that banana republic, Anchuria."
• "The banana workers of this former banana republic were exceptionally well organized and effective in their demands from the very beginning of the revolution."
• "The McCanns, it is hinted and sometimes expressed explicitly, cannot possibly be treated fairly under this inadequate Portuguese system. There is a touch of arrogant xenophobia here, as if Portugal was some backward banana republic […]"