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Original · left

Clipboard (board)

A stiff board with a spring-loaded metal clip at the top used to hold loose paperwork for writing.

First in use: the 1900s
Duplicate · right

Clipboard (computing)

An operating system memory buffer holding copied or cut text, media, and files awaiting a paste command.

First in use: c. 1973

Clipboard / Clipboard (board) / Clipboard (computing)

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Canonical todayMeasuring…
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Duplicate share · 12 mo—
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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

The board with a clip vs. copy-paste.

Which meaning of Clipboard is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Clipboard (board) came first (the 1900s). Clipboard (computing) arrived in 1973. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Clipboard (board)Clipboard (computing)
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 1900s

Clipboard (board)

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Duplicate · c. 1973

Clipboard (computing)

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More duplicated terms

Design & UX