Pawn shops are called pawn shops because of a special word: 'pawn.' When someone needs money, they can bring an item they own, like a toy or a bike, to the pawn shop. The shopowner looks at the item and gives them money for it.
But here's the neat part: the shopowner keeps the item safe until the person can return to pay back the money. When the person pays back the money, they get their item back! If they can’t pay it back, then the shop can sell the item to someone else.
The word 'pawn' comes from a Middle Ages word that means, 'to give as a promise.' So, when people use a pawn shop, they are promising to come back and take their item back after they pay the money. That’s why they are called pawn shops!