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Original · left

Spirit level

A tool with a bubble in liquid that shows whether a surface is horizontal.

First in use: the 1600s
Duplicate · right

Level (video games)

A distinct area or stage of a video game that a player must complete to advance.

First in use: the 1970s

Level / Spirit level / Level (video games)

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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

From checking a shelf is flat to beating the boss.

Which meaning of Level is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Spirit level came first (the 1600s). Level (video games) arrived in the 1970s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Spirit levelLevel (video games)
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 1600s

Spirit level

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Duplicate · the 1970s

Level (video games)

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More duplicated terms

Gaming

Lag · Lag (video games)Respawn · Respawn (gaming)Boss · Boss (video games)Speedrun · SpeedrunEpic · Epic GamesValve · Valve (game company)Quake · Quake (video game)Fallout · Fallout (game series)Destiny · Destiny (video game)Overwatch · Overwatch (video game)Apex · Apex LegendsTwitch · Twitch (streaming)Rogue · RoguelikeGrind · Grinding (video games)Nerf · Nerf (game balance)Loot · Loot boxSkin · Skin (video games)Mod · Game mod