Well...the reactions were ... enlightening

I certainly apologize for hurting feelings. That was not my intent.

I've just learned (the hard way, of course, because how else do we learn?), that using this kind of terminology, even though we may be feeling quite pithy, gives ammo to those that wish to discount us.

This goes double, in my experience, for any context that prizes objectivity and articulate discussion.

Your comment was fine. Sorry that others felt the need to be so hostile. As (I hope) you know, that's not what we want to see on HN.