Well I am use to starting trouble so here goes. Unless you want Ebay to pop up a window giving your personal preference to adjectives used to describe a bike, I am not sure what else can be done. The person who knows nothing about bikes but just wants to sell one is giving it their best shot. They sometimes use colorful terms to describe them which I find humorous. The novice collector is just trying to spice up interest and usually has no grand plan to deceive. The more veteran collector either has their own opinion of these terms and some use and others don't. I think the original posting that gave the automotive terms summed it up best. "Not everyone agrees on these terms". I am afraid it will be that way long after everyone reading this is gone. Relax and enjoy the hobby. You can usually tell alot about a bike from the photos, descriptions and you can even write the person for more clarification. When I go to buy a VINTAGE wine, I RARELY mistake it for a CLASSIC and never buy one I don't like. Problem is I like to many (hic!)
Ray Homiski
Elizabeth, NJ