Anti-trans antagonists also take issue with the word "Transphobe" and use the term to get into semantic debates with trans people. We avoid the "but I'm not afraid of trans people" debates when we use more precise language.

TERF speaks to a specific movement of transphobic antagonism and anti-trans activism. It goes beyond your every day transphobia. TERFism is a cult of radicalization similar to InCels and alt-right movement. We need the word to describe the specific nuance of that kind of radicalization because it is fundamentally different than your transphobic auntie who does not identify as a feminist. TERFs see themselves as defenders and gatekeepers of womanhood, and their hatred for trans people has far-reaching impacts that your grandma and grandpa's brand of transphobia does not.

Yes, calling them feminists is a misnomer in some part, but it also refers to how this particular radicalization targets feminist communities.

The trans community simply isn't ditching the term any time soon because it helps us identify our most virulent and clamorous opponents. Deradicalizing is a far different beast than merely educating and eliminating transphobic ignorance, so I'll continue to call a spade a spade - and a TERF a TERF.