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Original · left

Spoiler (car part)

An aerodynamic part on a car that reduces lift.

First in use: the 1960s
Duplicate · right

Spoiler (media)

Information that reveals a plot twist or ending.

First in use: the 1970s

Spoiler / Spoiler (car part) / Spoiler (media)

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

Car aerodynamics vs. plot reveals.

Which meaning of Spoiler is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Spoiler (car part) came first (the 1960s). Spoiler (media) arrived in the 1970s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Spoiler (car part)Spoiler (media)
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 1960s

Spoiler (car part)

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Duplicate · the 1970s

Spoiler (media)

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More duplicated terms

Film, TV & media