network vs old boy network

network

noun
  • Any interconnected group or system 

  • A group of affiliated television stations that broadcast common programs from a parent company. 

  • Multiple computers and other devices connected together to share information 

  • A fabric or structure of fibrous elements attached to each other at regular intervals. 

  • A directory of people maintained for their advancement 

verb
  • To broadcast across an entire network of stations and affiliates at the same time. 

  • To connect two or more computers or other computerized devices. 

  • To interconnect a group or system. 

  • To interact socially for the purpose of getting connections or personal advancement. 

old boy network

noun
  • A presumed unacknowledged system of association between childhood friends (especially those at school or university together), used for mutual assistance or favouritism. 

How often have the words network and old boy network occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )