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Original · left

Rack (shelf)

A framework for holding or storing things, from dishes to luggage.

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

19-inch rack

A standardized frame for mounting servers and network equipment.

First in use: the 1920s

Rack / Rack (shelf) / 19-inch rack

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Duplicate share · 12 mo—
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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Dish racks vs. server racks.

Which meaning of Rack is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Rack (shelf) came first (ancient / pre-modern). 19-inch rack arrived in the 1920s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Rack (shelf)19-inch rack
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

Rack (shelf)

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Duplicate · the 1920s

19-inch rack

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More duplicated terms

Cloud & infrastructure