W: Today Professor Hall will talk about where the term piggy bank comes from.
M: Today the simple piggy bank is seen anywhere as the symbol of saving and thrift,for putting away funds for a rainy day or for life sudden needs,such as paying college expenses, buying a home or financing retirement.
W: But why a pig? (1) ___________________________. Why not a dog shaped bank for coins?Squirrels are well known hoarders too and we talk about squirreling away valuables.Why not a bank in the shape of a squirrel?
M: Well, nevertheless, for 300 years, children’s banks have been imitation pigs with slots in the back.Charles Bernardy, the author of Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things,tells how the symbol came about by coincidence.According to Bernardy, during the Middle Ages, mined medal was scarce and expensive.(2) ____________________________________________.
The type of orange clay known as pygg, spilt “P-Y-G-G”,was more abundant and economical throughout western Europe.It was used in making dishes, cups, pots and jars.And so these pottery items were referred to as pygg.Although a pygg jar was not originally shaped like a pig, the name persisted.
W: I guess P-Y-G-G jar later became pig, P-I-G jar or pig bank.
M: Right, (3) _____________________________________.In the United States, the popular piggy bank has always been a symbol of saving money.
