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Original · left

Magic (supernatural or illusion)

The supernatural art of producing baffling illusions or exerting control over natural forces through spells.

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

Magic (programming)

Obscure, complex code that works flawlessly through undocumented side effects without obvious logic.

First in use: the 1970s

Magic / Magic (supernatural or illusion) / Magic (programming)

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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Houdini vs. code nobody understands.

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

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Magic (supernatural or illusion)Magic (programming)
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

Magic (supernatural or illusion)

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Duplicate · the 1970s

Magic (programming)

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More duplicated terms

Programming & software