From Mexican Spanishpiñata, from piña, from Latinpinea(“pinecone”), because its paper cover (on traditional making) resembles one. Alternatively from Spanish via Italianpignatta(“clay pot”),[1] from a Chinese custom allegedly introduced by Marco Polo.[2]
2020 August 5, Drachinifel, 3:29 from the start, in The Battle of Jutland - Clash of the Titans - Part 2 (Jellicoe vs Scheer), archived from the original on 12 September 2022:
[…]Wiesbaden, largely crippled, nevertheless refuses to sink for the moment, and will become something of a steel piñata for passing British capital ships over the next few hours whilst throwing the odd torpedo back in retaliation.
Center for History and New Media (2019 March 15 (last accessed)) “Piñata [Object]”, in Children and Youth in History, Item #411: “Polo likely brought the idea to Italy, where by the 14th century it was associated with celebration of Lent, and acquired the Italian name pignatta or "fragile pot."”
From piña, from Latinpinea(“pinecone”), because its paper cover (on traditional making) resembles one. Alternatively from the same source via Italianpignatta.[1]