Phrase Origins: Montezuma’s Revenge

I have often talked and chatted with friends. When the subject of any of them visiting or possibly visiting Mexico has come up in conversation, it is inevitable that we mention Montezuma’s Revenge. I know that this refers to the diarrhea that travelers to Mexico suffer from drinking the water, but I don’t know much more.

Meaning of the Phrase

I was right about Montezuma’s Revenge referring to diarrhea suffered by travelers to Mexico. However, it is not only the water that causes it. It can be water or food or both things that cause the diarrhea. Others simply call it Traveler’s Diarrhea.

Phrase Origins

I know that Montezuma was supposedly a mean ruler and was known to get revenge on other countries that tried to invade Mexico. However, I don’t know why Traveler’s Diarrhea has become known as Montezuma’s Revenge.

The phrase “Montezuma’s Revenge” refers to Montezuma II, which is sometimes spelled Moctezuma II. He was an Aztec ruler when the Spanish began trying to take charge of the Aztec colonies. His reign was from 1502 to 1520.

It is common for people who do not suffer from Traveler’s Diarrhea to give it a comic name depending on the place where the diarrhea occurs to other travelers. They do this for their own amusement. The phrase, “Montezuma’s Revenge” is not that old. It was first used in print in 1959 in the newspaper The Modesto Bee. It said, ” In Mexico it sometimes is called the Aztec curse, Montezuma’s revenge… and other colorful names. It can be either a mild or explosive illness.”

Related Phrases

Related phrases occur in different countries because anybody can suffer from Traveler’s Diarrhea when a strain of E. Coli bacterium that is not familiar to the body in ingested.

Other phrases in Mexico include, “The Gringo Gallop” and “The Aztec Two-Step.”

In Indonesia, it is known as “Bali Belly.”

In India it is known as “Delhi Belly,” “The Rangoon Runs,” “Ghandi’s Revenge,” or “Bombay Belly.”

In Egypt it is known as “Pharaoh’s Revenge,” “Gyppy Tummy,” “The Cairo Two-Step,” or “Mummy’s Tummy.”

Source:

Martin, G. (n.d.). Montezuma’s revenge. The meanings and origins of sayings and phrases . Retrieved January 1, 2012, from http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/montezumas-revenge.html