The term “derivatives” is widely used for financial derivatives like options and swaps. It’s gained such widespread adoption that it by far dwarfs the original meaning of the instantaneous rate of change in calculus.
I think the simpler answer is that when a word has two meanings, one a widely used category of financial instruments and the other a narrowly defined branch of advanced mathematics, the former will almost always dominate everyday discussion.
Cryptography is more widely used than cryptocurrency. That people don't understand they're using it doesn't change the fact that "threatens the cryptography industry" is more scary than "threatens the cryptocurrency industry" especially since cryptocurrency relies on cryptography so it would be directly threatened as a consequence.
>that it by far dwarfs the original meaning of the instantaneous rate of change in calculus.
That's not even the original meaning. According to etymology section on wiktionary, it dates back to middle french and latin, before issac newton was even born.
Seconded.
I also hate that they shorten proof-of-work algorithm to "algo" (often just referring to the hash function used in the widely used Hashcash PoW).
The prefix "crypto" means hidden or disguised in English. Neither cryptocurrency nor cryptography have a monopoly on it. The way people get exercised about this issue you'd think that "cryptography" is the only word in the English language to use the prefix "crypto-".
The thing is that cryptocurrency is really a niche application of cryptography, where cryptography is very broadly used. So it's a little like if people started using "petroleum" to mean petroleum jelly. Sure, nobody is aware of cryptography's effect on their life. But it is a key ingredient in everything including cryptocurrency.
I think the simpler answer is that when a word has two meanings, one a widely used category of financial instruments and the other a narrowly defined branch of advanced mathematics, the former will almost always dominate everyday discussion.