Here's my interpretation of rfc 871. The ARPANET designers, whose work we take up, wanted an open design, and knew terms were going to be confused. They also knew that the precision that other models like OSI would get it more attention but also limit the model. Standardization of terms doesn't necessarily bring such rigidness that the model doesn't remain *open* to inclusion and growth. A few rules brings about conciseness, a lot of rules stagnation.