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Original · left

Toggle (fastener)

A short rod passed through a loop to fasten a coat or rope.

First in use: the 1700s
Duplicate · right

Toggle switch (UI)

A two-state switch control in an interface.

First in use: the 1990s

Toggle / Toggle (fastener) / Toggle switch (UI)

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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

Duffle-coat toggles vs. on/off switches.

Which meaning of Toggle is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Toggle (fastener) came first (the 1700s). Toggle switch (UI) arrived in the 1990s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Toggle (fastener)Toggle switch (UI)
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 1700s

Toggle (fastener)

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Duplicate · the 1990s

Toggle switch (UI)

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More duplicated terms

Design & UX