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Original · left

Backlog (log for a fire)

Originally the large log at the back of a fire; now an accumulation of unfinished work.

First in use: the 1600s
Duplicate · right

Product backlog

The prioritized list of work waiting for a development team.

First in use: the 1990s

Backlog / Backlog (log for a fire) / Product backlog

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The big log at the back of the fire vs. Jira tickets.

Which meaning of Backlog is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Backlog (log for a fire) came first (the 1600s). Product backlog arrived in the 1990s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Backlog (log for a fire)Product backlog
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · the 1600s

Backlog (log for a fire)

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Duplicate · the 1990s

Product backlog

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More duplicated terms

Business & startups