Just like many other terms in just about any subject, words are needed to describe or identify different things and sometimes don't have strict definitions.
I've even seen dictionary definitions of various terms that are not all that accurate, and people who look up "term X" and find that it is used for "definition" who automatically assume anything fitting "definition A" will always be labeled "term X." This is especially true when the definitions are not very detailed. If someone defined the F-S Commando Dagger as "A British knife used in WWII," then a person with the mindset described above could say a Smatchet is a F-S Commando Dagger since it is a British knife used in WWII.
What is "Mixed Martial Arts?" Everyone knows it is the type of system use din the UFC, but aren't systems like Kenpo Karate and JKD mixed martial arts? MMA guys won't agree, but these and other systems can be described as being mixed martial arts. Many more instructors learn one system and add in other things not traditionally found in the system, so is that not MMA? Years ago one Karate instructor told me that learning other systems like Judo, Jujutsu, and Kung Fu is what "makes a good Karateka."
In the real world, as long as instructors at least attempt to accurately describe what they are doing rather than finding a marketing buzzword they think will sell, it probably won't matter much. People would either know or find out what "combatives," "RBSD," "MMA," "traditional martial arts," "Women's self-defense," etc. mean.
From what I've seen, the guys with the biggest schools seem to be those who are into kids' Karate or kids' Tae Kwon Do.
To the general public, it is all "Karate." Lots of people who know I train in martial arts ask me from time to time, "Do you still do Karate?"
