a HackerNoon project
Original · left

Key (lock)

A carved, notched piece of brass or iron turned within a lock cylinder to throw a bolt.

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

Key (cryptography)

A variable piece of alphanumeric data or algorithmic value used to encrypt, decrypt, or validate data, or identify values in databases.

First in use: the 1970s

Key / Key (lock) / Key (cryptography)

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

House keys vs. public keys.

Which meaning of Key is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Key (lock) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Key (cryptography) arrived in the 1970s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Key (lock)Key (cryptography)
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

Key (lock)

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—
Duplicate · the 1970s

Key (cryptography)

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—

More duplicated terms

Cybersecurity