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Original · left

Robot network

A network of robots, a word from Karel Čapek's 1920 play R.U.R.

First in use: the 1920s
Duplicate · right

Botnet

A network of malware-infected computers controlled by an attacker.

First in use: the 2000s

Botnet / Robot network / Botnet

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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Robots vs. hijacked computers.

Which meaning of Botnet is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Robot network came first (the 1920s). Botnet arrived in the 2000s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Robot networkBotnet
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

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The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · the 1920s

Robot network

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Duplicate · the 2000s

Botnet

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More duplicated terms

Cybersecurity