Originally Posted by
CliffordK
No doubt Look wanted to make the distinction of being different from the toe clips. And, the terminology stuck.
One can say that one is using cleats (describing a part of the shoe). And, of course, there are cleats designed for use with toe clips, but they are rare today.
With skiis, you can get "Cable Bindings".
Perhaps a better description would be "Clamp", and "Clamping Pedals".
"Cleat" also works to describe the part on the shoe, and thus the pedals they go with. Of course one can have cleats with toeclips, but they are rare today.
How about if clipless pedals were called Pedals with Integrated Foot Retention Mechanisms? That's a mouthful! Versus Pedals Without Foot Retention Hardware or Pedals With External Foot Retention Devices. More mouthfuls!
It's unfortunate that the term Clipless stuck because it has confused untold numbers of folks in the following decades. But, don't really know what words would be an improvement.
Just spin the pedals and ride the bike!