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Original · left

Daemon (mythology)

An attendant mythological spirit, intermediate divinity, or malevolent entity.

First in use: ancient / pre-modern
Duplicate · right

Daemon (computing)

A background computer program that runs continuously without direct user interactive control, handling system maintenance or service requests.

First in use: c. 1963

Daemon / Daemon (mythology) / Daemon (computing)

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Maxwell's demon gave MIT programmers the word.

Which meaning of Daemon is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Daemon (mythology) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Daemon (computing) arrived in 1963. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Daemon (mythology)Daemon (computing)
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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 · ancient / pre-modern

Daemon (mythology)

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Duplicate · c. 1963

Daemon (computing)

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More duplicated terms

Programming & software