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Original · left

Relay race

A team track-and-field race where athletes sprint in turn, passing a baton from hand to hand.

First in use: the 1890s
Duplicate · right

Relay (networking)

An intermediate transmission server or routing hub that receives data packets or mail and forwards them to the next destination.

First in use: the 1980s

Relay / Relay race / Relay (networking)

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

Batons vs. mail relays.

Which meaning of Relay is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Relay race came first (the 1890s). Relay (networking) arrived in the 1980s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Relay raceRelay (networking)
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

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The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · the 1890s

Relay race

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Duplicate · the 1980s

Relay (networking)

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More duplicated terms

Cloud & infrastructure