First description of hybrids I heard in the mid-to-late 80's was 'skinny-tired mountain bike'.
My main rides for ten plus years were a Cannondale H300 and then a Novara Big Buzz. Quite different bikes but not to be mistaken for anything but hybrids.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer