Seems innocuous to me? Neutral and concise way of differentiating. I see similar linguistic patterns pretty much everywhere, in work settings and hobby groups and such.
General words often accumulate particular connotations in specific contexts. That's just how language works.
I mean we know that 75% of the threads here are indecipherable to anyone who hasn't lurked for like 6 weeks at least. Same difference. When you first enter a new social space you pick up these linguistic nuances over time, and that's one important way to be part of the "in group".
They're probably just trying to be nice. Folks are more likely to listen to what you have to say when your kind and polite and not seeming judgemental. And being nice pushes against this idea of scary communists trying to take everything you own and change everything you like.
