"laptot", not in OED

[Joel S. Berson]

Or were there laptops having self-awareness in 1792 -- carried by a
time traveler to the coast of Africa?

"This intelligence induced the grand Foquet to desist; yet a close
watch was kept over my laptots; they were not allowed to pass the
second court-yard, and they considered themselves all as prisoners."

Saugnier and Brisson, _Voyages to the Coast of Africa_, translated
from the French (London: G. G. J. and J. Robinson, 1792),
228.  GBooks, full view.  Perhaps the earliest use in English.

For "laptot", see Wikipedia.  Many instances in GBooks.

Joel

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