What is "piggy bank"

n. A small container, sometimes in the form of a pig, to store small saved coins in. Often the "bank" must be broken open to retrieve the contents.

n. a child's coin bank (often shaped like a pig) [syn: penny bank]

Piggy bank (sometimes penny bank or money box) is the traditional name of a coin container usually used by children. The piggy bank is known to collectors as a "still bank" as opposed to the " mechanical banks" popular in the early 20th century. These items are also often used by corporations for promotional purposes. The use of the name 'piggy bank' gave rise to its widely-recognized 'pig' shape, and many financial services companies use piggy banks as logos for their savings products.

Piggy banks are typically made of ceramic or porcelain. They are generally painted and serve as a pedagogical device to teach the rudiments of thrift and savings to children; money can be easily inserted. Many piggy banks have a rubber plug located on the underside; others are made of vinyl and have a removable nose for easy coin access. Some incorporate electronic systems which calculate the amount of money deposited. Some piggy banks have no opening besides the slot for inserting coins, which will lead to smashing the piggy bank with a hammer or by other means, to obtain the money within.

"Piggy Bank" is the fifth track from 50 Cent's second album, The Massacre. It was not released as a single, but charted at eighty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100 due to controversy over its attack on long-time rival Ja Rule, as well as Jadakiss and Fat Joe, who had worked with Ja Rule on his song " New York". The song also takes lyrical swipes at rappers Shyne, Kelis, Sheek Louch, Cassidy, Lil' Kim (who featured 50 Cent on her song " Magic Stick") and Nas. He also mentions Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep and Michael Jackson in the song, but not negatively.