Piggy banks are used to teach children how to save and s{#blank#}1{#/blank#} their money wisely. They have to have very good reasons before breaking it in to p{#blank#}2{#/blank#} to spend the money. But why are they called "piggy" banks instead of "doggy" banks?

    There are several reasons. First, piggy banks look like pigs. S{#blank#}3{#/blank#}, in the past, a type of clay used for making household objects was called "pygg". People would often save money in pots made of piggy. In the 18th century, people c{#blank#}4{#/blank#}the spelling of "pygg" to "piggy".

    There is a{#blank#}5{#/blank#} reason for the name. For example, a farmer feeds food to his pig. He can't get back the money he spends on his pig until he kills it and sells its meat. A child puts his coins into his piggy bank. He has to break the piggy bank if he wants to get his money out.

    Some piggy banks are small enough to be held in the hand. Others are as t{#blank#}6{#/blank#} as three feet. Today many piggy banks have a cap on the bottom. Children can remove it to take money w{#blank#}7{#/blank#} losing the lovely pig.