The term “banana republic” is often used pejoratively to describe small, poor, unstable developing countries. Being called a banana republic is never a good thing. However, that term has a very real origin which involved actual bananas, mercenaries, corporate money, and the American government. Learn more about Banana Republics, where the name comes from, and the history behind them, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices