montezuma

Everyday

1. Montezuma (also Moctezuma) was a famous ruler, or emperor, of the Aztecs in Mexico long ago, when Spanish soldiers arrived. tree →
2. (slang, joking) «Montezuma's revenge» means an upset tummy and diarrhoea that travellers catch from food or water abroad. tree →

In the lessons

A name met in history lessons about the Aztecs, their capital Tenochtitlan and the Spanish conquest. In everyday talk adults joke about «Montezuma's revenge» when someone gets sick on holiday. Also a name of places and a game.

Examples

• Montezuma was the ruler of the Aztecs when the Spanish arrived. tree →
• Our history project was about Montezuma and the city of Tenochtitlan. tree →
• Montezuma lived in a great palace with gardens and zoos. tree →
• Uncle Pete got Montezuma's revenge after drinking tap water on holiday. tree →
• Montezuma met the Spanish leader Cortes. tree →
• The town of Montezuma is named after the Aztec ruler. tree →

Note

A name: always a capital M. Also spelled Moctezuma. «Montezuma's revenge» is slang and a bit rude about the toilet; it can seem unkind to Mexico, so use it carefully. Not a maths word.