If people just made sure to use the correct vocabulary, the issue would be a non-issue. I doubt there is a single person out there that 1) might encounter a terminal emulator, and 2) doesn't get that a VT102 actually existed from the name terminal emulator.
You have laymen with emulators on their telephones. It shouldn't be a hard concept to teach.
(I'm only 33 and having get those kids off my lawn moments...)