'bananaland' originates from English, specifically from the phrase 'banana republic' (coined in the early 20th century), where 'banana' referred to countries economically dependent on banana exports and dominated by foreign fruit companies.

'banana republic' was coined by O. Henry in 1904 to describe Central American countries dominated by fruit companies; later, English speakers formed the jocular/slang term 'bananaland' by combining 'banana' with 'land' to emphasize the idea of a backward or corrupt country.

Initially, the reference was narrowly to countries economically dependent on banana exports and controlled by foreign corporations; over time the sense broadened to mean any politically unstable, corrupt, or backward state and, by extension, any chaotic organization or place.