lap and thigh

Question

Hello! Would you explain the difference between lap and thigh? I guessthat lap means only front side of thighs...?Can I say,"Put your hands on your lap."?Thank you.

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

thigh: body part
lap: clothing part

Philip · Answer

KentaHello!

Would you explain the difference between lap and thigh? I guessthat lap means only front side of thighs...?

Can I say,"Put your hands on your lap."?

Thank you.

Two thighs make a lap, if the person is sitting.

BarbaraPA · Answer

The key is sitting. You have a lap only when you're sitting. It's not a body part so much as the shelf that you create that can hold your laptop, your lap cat, your lap dog, or your lap desk. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Philip · Answer

Grammar GeekThe key is sitting. You have a lap only when you're sitting. It's not a body part so much as the shelf that you create that can hold your laptop, your lap cat, your lap dog, or your lap desk.

My sister has a lovely, loving dog who thinks she is a laprador retriever.

BarbaraPA · Answer

For the sake of one's own person comfort, it's better to have a lap dog who thinks she's a "laprador" than a lab who thinks she's a lap dog.  Beware the tiny puppy who sits on your lap when he's seven pounds and thinks he belongs there when he's 70 pounds!

Khoff · Answer

Kenta -- yes, you can say "put your hands on your lap" -- although usually we would say "put your hands in your lap," even though someone would sit on your lap. "Sit quietly with your hands in your lap" sounds like something a teacher would say to young children to keep them from fidgeting and poking each other.

Marius -- I don't agree with your definition at all. (lap: clothing part) Clothing does not have a lap. As others have already said, only a seated person has a lap.

Philip · Answer

Grammar GeekFor the sake of one's own person comfort, it's better to have a lap dog who thinks she's a "laprador" than a lab who thinks she's a lap dog. Beware the tiny puppy who sits on your lap when he's seven pounds and thinks he belongs there when he's 70 pounds!

I guess my humor didn't come through. My sister's dog is a labrador....and she thinks she is a lap dog.

Marius Hancu · Answer

KhoffMarius -- I don't agree with your definition at all. (lap: clothing part) Clothing does not have a lap. As others have already said, only a seated person has a lap.

I was right at least in part. It's both:
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lap

3 a (1) : the clothing that lies on the knees, thighs, and lower part of the trunk when one sits down (2) : the front part of the lower trunk and thighs of a seated person <sit on grandpa's lap>

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or:

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/lap

BarbaraPA · Answer

Philip
Grammar Geek
For the sake of one's own person comfort, it's better to have a lap dog who thinks she's a "laprador" than a lab who thinks she's a lap dog. Beware the tiny puppy who sits on your lap when he's seven pounds and thinks he belongs there when he's 70 pounds!

I guess my humor didn't come through. My sister's dog is a labrador....and she thinks she is a lap dog.

Oh! My former mother-in-law had a miniature dauschund who thought she was a Rotweiler. She'd bark furiously at MUCH bigger dogs who just looked at her in puzzlement! It works both ways, it seems.

Kenta · Answer

Many people answered my question. Thank you all!

lap and thigh

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