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From: kriha_p@actrix.gen.nz (Paul J. Kriha)
Subject: Re: Robots
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Date: Sun, 5 Mar 1995 02:29:48 GMT
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In article <888496381wnr@shappski.demon.co.uk>,
   Andre@shappski.demon.co.uk (Andre Shapps) wrote:
>Does anyone know the origin of the word "robot"? I had a feeling 
>it might be related to the Russian "rabotat", to work, which 
>some dictionaries indicate (although they quote Czech and Old 
>Slavonic).
>
>Others tell me that it's an acronym for - well I forget now.
>
>Anyone know the truth?

The word was first used by the Czech writer Karel C^apek in his
sci-fi play R.U.R. (Rossums' Universal Robots). (1920/30's ?)
The Czech word "robota" means slave/forced labour.

In fact the surname Rossum in the title is another play on words.
"rozum" in Czech means reason.  Slavishly translated to English
it would be "Reason's Universal Slaves"  :-)


Paul JK
