[bitwize]

The decision to avoid use of the verb "to transform" is recent (2000s or 2010s), and probably due to legal troubles Hasbro's lawyers don't want to get into again. Recent Transformers media do eschew the usage of "transform" as a verb, preferring "convert" or "change form" instead. The part (organ?) that Cybertronians have that facilitates changing shape also had its name changed, from "transformation cog" in G1 to "conversion cog" in the War for Cybertron game. And Optimus Prime saying "Autobots, transform and roll out!" has gone the way of Mario saying "Yahoo!" (Nintendo feared trademark suits from the internet company Yahoo!).

The funny thing is, back in the days when Transformers transformed, their rivals the GoBots converted.