Deane Goltermann Aug 24, 2014:

Concede the point 'Marketers mash language'.

But how come I keep thinking about the Swe word slentrian? Does it have greater negative connotation than 'routine misuse'?

Charles Ek (asker) Aug 24, 2014:

As a certain movie character might have put it to his brother:
"There's lots of them."
"There's lot's of them?"
"Lots and lots of (traditional references to traditional)." ;-)
http://tinyurl.com/lx7vx4b

(I will confess to having personally used the term in a career long ago and sort of far away, peddling life insurance.)

Deane Goltermann Aug 24, 2014:

Yep, What does Mr. Webster say about it?! Google 'traditional insurance' - you get many hits, but many take you to India and other countries where Eng isn't your first language. Google 'typical insurance' and you get more hits. (Have to admit 'standard' gets you to the company, Standard Insurance, hmm.)

Google 'traditional bank account' and you get a lot of hits, too! Some even from US/Brit sites. Even at http://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tradingaccount.asp. (GASP!)

I do see it used, as you do, but can't square it with any (standard) definition. This tells me it is routinely misused. Ask the question, What is 'traditional' about any bank account? 1) 'Used in accordance with tradition' -- or rather, in accordance with laws and written contractual agreement; 2) 'Habitually done, used or found' -- bank accounts and insurance policies (and there term and conditions) are habits?; 3) 'adhering to a tradition' -- again, this is legal practice that varies in detail between banks, and a practical approach to modern living but what kind of 'tradition' does it follow? 4) 'Characteristic manner, method, or style' -- no, this is legally defined and agreed practice with many common aspects.

Charles Ek (asker) Aug 24, 2014:

Traditional I found this in a glossary from Statens tjänstepensionsverk at http://www.spv.se/Ordlista/:
"Traditionell livförsäkring
I en traditionell livförsäkring är det försäkringsgivaren som bestämmer hur dina pengar placeras. I en traditionell livförsäkring är du garanterad en viss avkastning. (In English: Traditional insurance)"