a HackerNoon project
Original · left

Memory (mind)

The cognitive capability of the human mind to retain, recall, and reconstruct past experiences.

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

Computer memory

Physical computer hardware components (such as RAM) utilized for rapid, volatile, short-term data storage while programs execute.

First in use: the 1940s

Memory / Memory (mind) / Computer memory

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

Remembering vs. RAM.

Which meaning of Memory is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Memory (mind) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Computer memory arrived in the 1940s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Memory (mind)Computer memory
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

Memory (mind)

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—
Duplicate · the 1940s

Computer memory

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

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

More duplicated terms

Hardware & devices