what happened in Mexico that we use the phrase "Mexican stand off"?

Answer 1

The phrase comes from an internal war in Mexico when Santa Ana first started coming into power. His rebel army and the Mexican army were going to fight, but because they both arrived in the same spot at the same time, with no surprise, no advantages, the generals talk and decided that all they had was a stand off and took their armys away to fight another day. Since then, when two people or groups got togeather and both had no advantage over the other it was considered a Mexican Standoff.

Answer 2

This dictionary claims that the expression is of Australian origin:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?dict=CALD&key=50247
while this source claims it dates from 19th century American southwest:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_standoff

A couple of references I checked say we get "Mexican standoff" from the same regional chauvinism that gives us "Dutch treat," etc. Everything south of the border was considered inferior to U.S. stuff. Apparently, having a gunfight was considered a point of pride, so a gunfight where no shots were fired - a Mexican standoff - was inferior and thereby "Mexican." The "Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins" by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977) calls Dutch treat, etc., examples of "derogatory epithets aimed at neighboring countries." They also list phrases pertaining to Mexico. ".The expression 'Mexican athlete' is used to describe an athlete who goes out for the team but doesn't make it. A 'Mexican promotion' is one in which an employee gets a fancy new title -- but no increase in pay. And a 'Mexican breakfast' consists of a cigarette and a glass of water. So a 'Mexican standoff' is a situation from which nothing at all can be expected." The "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997) says Mexican standoff is "A stalemate, a confrontation that neither side can win. Originally an American cowboy expression describing a gun battle with no clear winner, the words date back to the mid-19th century. It is often used to describe a pitching duel in baseball today."

Answer 3

N O T H I N G

That is why its a stand-off. Nothing happens it is always siesta time. sitting, standing, morning, noon or night. Nothing happens. Why do now, what can be done tomorrow. Now its time to relax.. Chill out.

Have a cerveza, put on your best sombrero and find a nice shaddy cactus to rest upon.


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Pete and Repeat were on the fence. Pete fell off. Who remained on the fence?


Pete and Repeat were on the fence. Pete fell off. Who remained on the fence?

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Pete and Repeat were on the fence. Pete fell off. Who remained on the fence?

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I was on my way to the airport, traveling to Mexico.

I was riding in a taxicab this morning and there was a female dispatcher on the two-way radio. She was dispatching the cabs to various addresses and the usual dispatch chatter was going on. Suddenly, the dispatcher asked? ... Michael Hunt, are you out there... Mike? Do you read me? ... Mike Hunt, Mike Hunt... Come in, ... Come In... Come in Mike Hunt. I don't know why this seems so funny to me- it was just a cab ride.

I couldn't stop laughing. I think something shot out of my nose!

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Answer 4

yalleow mexiconao http://worldmostbeautifulbeaches.com/Acapulco-Travel-Information.htm