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Original · left

Router (woodworking)

A high-speed woodworking power tool with a spinning bit used to bevel edges and hollow out grooves.

First in use: the 1800s
Duplicate · right

Router (computing)

A dedicated network hardware appliance that inspects IP headers and directs data packets along optimal paths between disparate networks.

First in use: the 1970s

Router / Router (woodworking) / Router (computing)

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

A carpentry tool vs. network hardware.

Which meaning of Router is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Router (woodworking) came first (the 1800s). Router (computing) arrived in the 1970s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Router (woodworking)Router (computing)
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

Router (woodworking)

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Duplicate · the 1970s

Router (computing)

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More duplicated terms

Cloud & infrastructure