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Original · left

Script (handwriting or screenplay)

Handwriting, or the written text of a play or film.

First in use: the 1300s
Duplicate · right

Script (computing)

A short program run by an interpreter, often to automate tasks.

First in use: the 1970s

Script / Script (handwriting or screenplay) / Script (computing)

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

Screenplays vs. shell scripts.

Which meaning of Script is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Script (handwriting or screenplay) came first (the 1300s). Script (computing) arrived in the 1970s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Script (handwriting or screenplay)Script (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 1300s

Script (handwriting or screenplay)

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Duplicate · the 1970s

Script (computing)

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More duplicated terms

Programming & software