Swiss firm recalls 'Liechtenschwein' piggy banks

[August 27, 2010]  GENEVA (AP) -- No jokes about Liechtenstein, please.

A Swiss company has been forced to apologize and pull its piggy banks off the market after heavy criticism from the tiny Alpine principality known for its private banking industry.

The offense was all in the name, "Liechtenschwein," turning the last syllable into the German word for "pig."

Hans Buff & Co. said Thursday that it meant only to poke some fun at the country, which is even wealthier per capita than Switzerland.

It said it was sorry that the joke caused offense, and apologized to Liechtenstein's people.

[Associated Press]

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