Lap

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

This article concerns the area at the top of a person's legs; for other similarly named articles, see Lap (disambiguation).

A lap is a surface created between the knee and waist of a bipedal being when it is in a seated position. A lap only exists in this seated form, and not when a being is standing erect or when it is laying down.

[edit] Consumer products for laps

There are numerous consumer devices created specifically for use with the lap. The laptop, for example, was designed for people who required the use of a computer when away from their usual work space. It was originally named after this prominent feature but was eventually renamed the notebook in reference to its small physical size, instead of its possible positioning during use. (also renamed due to the excessive heat in later models)

An earlier consumer product designed for the lap was the lapdog. A small dog, usually a terrier, which was bred to sit in the lap of a wealthy or fashionable European woman.

[edit] Laps in popular culture

In some forms of the Christmas tradition, young children sit upon the lap of Santa Claus to tell him what gifts they would like. Around the Christmas buying season each year, many malls, especially those in North America are known to offer an area where parents can bring their children to partake in this tradition.

Lapsitting, in general, can also be seen in every day life between relatives, couples, and friends. Lapsitting can occur between people of the opposite sex or the same sex--although same-sex lapsitting does appear to be far more common (and more readily accepted by society) among young women and girls, than in their male counterparts.

[edit] The lap and sexuality

A "lapdance" is an erotic dance and sexual act. It is commonly performed as a paid service by exotic dancers to their clientele. A lapdance is performed by one person straddling the lap of the other and gyrating their lower extremities in a provocative manner.

Human anatomical features

HEAD: Skull - Forehead – Eye – Ear – Nose – Mouth – Tongue – Teeth – Jaw – Face – Cheek – Chin NECK: Throat – Adam's apple - Larynx TORSO: Shoulders – Spine – Chest – Breast – Ribcage – Abdomen – Belly button Sex organs (Penis/Scrotum/Testicle/Clitoris/Vagina/Ovary/Uterus) – Hip – Anus – Buttocks LIMBS: Arm – Elbow – Forearm – Wrist – Hand – Finger (Thumb - Index finger - Middle finger - Ring finger - Little finger) – Leg – Lap – Thigh – Knee – Calf – Heel – Ankle – Foot – Toe (Hallux) SKIN: Hair