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Original · left

Plug (electrical)

An electrical connector featuring metal prongs inserted into a wall socket to draw current.

First in use: the 1800s
Duplicate · right

Plug-in (software)

An add-on software component (plugin) integrated into a host program to expand its default capability without modifying core code.

First in use: the 1980s

Plug / Plug (electrical) / Plug-in (software)

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

Wall plugs vs. plugins.

Which meaning of Plug is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Plug (electrical) came first (the 1800s). Plug-in (software) arrived in the 1980s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Plug (electrical)Plug-in (software)
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 · the 1800s

Plug (electrical)

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Duplicate · the 1980s

Plug-in (software)

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More duplicated terms

Programming & software