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This word entered public use through Karel Čapek's R.U.R., published in 1920. Karel credited his brother Josef with suggesting the word, derived from robota, forced labor.

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Language & WordsOne small aha
Your new ahaRobot

Robot: A word introduced in Karel Čapek's play R.U.R., from Czech robota, forced labor. Source: Wiktionary: robot ↗

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