I concur with John E. that the term originated with the direct lever front derailleurs. It could apply equally well to Campagnolo's Cambio Corsa rear derailleurs with direct acting lever(s) on the seat stay. However each succeeding generation seems to re-invent the term and apply it to whichever is the ergonomically inferior of the shifting systems that they grew up with. I can appreciate the rationale for applying the term to stem shifters, top tube mounted shifters and even brake extension levers. And I can well imagine that the current generation, growing up on "brifters", will rationally attach the moniker to down tube shifters.