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Original · left

Tab (bill)

A bill for drinks or a small flap attached to a file.

First in use: the 1800s
Duplicate · right

Tab (interface)

A clickable label that switches between panels, as in browser tabs.

First in use: the 1980s

Tab / Tab (bill) / Tab (interface)

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

Bar tabs vs. browser tabs.

Which meaning of Tab is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Tab (bill) came first (the 1800s). Tab (interface) arrived in the 1980s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Tab (bill)Tab (interface)
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

Tab (bill)

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12-mo pageviews—
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Duplicate · the 1980s

Tab (interface)

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More duplicated terms

Design & UX