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Original · left

Exit (way out)

A way out of a building or room.

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

Exit (startup)

The sale or IPO that turns founders' and investors' equity into cash.

First in use: the 1980s

Exit / Exit (way out) / Exit (startup)

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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 door vs. an acquisition.

Which meaning of Exit is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Exit (way out) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Exit (startup) arrived in the 1980s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Exit (way out)Exit (startup)
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 · ancient / pre-modern

Exit (way out)

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Duplicate · the 1980s

Exit (startup)

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More duplicated terms

Business & startups