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Original · left

Cookie (biscuit)

A baked sweet treat, typically flat, round, and crisp or chewy.

First in use: the 1700s
Duplicate · right

HTTP cookie

A small text file stored on a user's browser by a website to remember authentication states, settings, or tracking activity.

First in use: c. 1994

Cookie / Cookie (biscuit) / HTTP cookie

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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

A baked treat vs. Lou Montulli's state tracker.

Which meaning of Cookie is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Cookie (biscuit) came first (the 1700s). HTTP cookie arrived in 1994. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Cookie (biscuit)HTTP cookie
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 1700s

Cookie (biscuit)

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Duplicate · c. 1994

HTTP cookie

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More duplicated terms

Programming & software