I kinda dislike the word as well. Makes it seem like it's sort of a separate and special side of the Fediverse, when it isn't. It's just as interconnected and interoperable with other Fediverse software like Mastodon (microblogging) or Friendica (macroblogging) the same way as others are. In fact, here I am, replying to you from Friendica.
Imo people could just call them as they are: bulletin boards. Or just something involving groups, idk (because that's what they are, mostly).