a HackerNoon project
Original · left

Rail transport

First in use: the 1800s
Duplicate · right

Ruby on Rails

First in use: c. 2004

Rails / Rail transport / Ruby on Rails

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

Trains vs. DHH's framework.

Which meaning of Rails is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Rail transport came first (the 1800s). Ruby on Rails arrived in 2004. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Rail transportRuby on Rails
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

Rail transport

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—
Duplicate · c. 2004

Ruby on Rails

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

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

More duplicated terms

Programming & software