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Original · left

Telegraphy

First in use: the 1830s
Duplicate · right

Telegram (software)

First in use: c. 2013

Telegram / Telegraphy / Telegram (software)

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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

Western Union vs. Pavel Durov.

Which meaning of Telegram is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Telegraphy came first (the 1830s). Telegram (software) arrived in 2013. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

TelegraphyTelegram (software)
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 1830s

Telegraphy

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Duplicate · c. 2013

Telegram (software)

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More duplicated terms

Internet & gaming culture