piñata

Meaning

1. A doll or other decorated container that is filled with candy and hit with a hammer or a stick by blindfolded children during birthday parties or other celebrations until the candy falls out.
2. To hit something or someone with sticks after having filled them with candy.
3. Something which is repeatedly hit or damaged over a period of time.

Etymology / origin

Etymology tree Proto-Italic *pīnos Latin pīnus Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂ Proto-Italic *-ā Latin -a Latin pīnea Italian pigna Italian pignattabor. Spanish piñatabor. English piñata Unadapted borrowing from Mexican Spanish piñata, from piña (“pinecone”), from Latin pinea, because its paper cover (on traditional making) resembles one. Alternatively from Spanish via Italian pignatta (“clay pot”), from a Chinese custom allegedly introduced by Marco Polo.

Sources

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