a HackerNoon project
Original · left

Master (expert or employer)

A highly skilled craftsman, authoritative employer, or martial arts teacher.

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

Master (computing)

The primary controlling server or legacy default Git repository branch directing secondary replica nodes.

First in use: the 1900s

Master / Master (expert or employer) / Master (computing)

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

Craftsmen vs. the branch renamed main.

Which meaning of Master is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Master (expert or employer) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Master (computing) arrived in the 1900s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Master (expert or employer)Master (computing)
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

Master (expert or employer)

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—
Duplicate · the 1900s

Master (computing)

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

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

More duplicated terms

Programming & software