I'll refer you to Merriam Webster

def 2A

The commonly accepted definition in this context (payment tracing) Is "to follow or study out in detail or step by step"

Which is absolutely NOT what is happening here.

The sender has an address and a derived hash that appears on chain that are provably linked. There is no "study on detail" or working it out "step by step".

Ie, no "tracing."

if you tell me your address and I send you a letter, did I "trace you"?

ffs.

the sender knows where the payment goes. period. no tracing involved.

as you say, its not ideal.

But you don't mind making it *sound as if* "tracing" is happening now do you?

which is the point of using the words you do.

As if you could follow the trail of funds through the chain...

which you cant.