Let's see, I bought a Jamis 'city bike' in 1985; it was a 'mountain bike' (26" wheels, MTB triple, thumbshifters, canti's) but with fenders, rear rack and street tread radial ply tires. Started hearing of 'hybrids' a little later in the 80's. They were defined as 'skinny tired mountain bikes' or as 'flat bar road bikes'. Bought a Cannondale hybrid in 1993 - it was not a 'comfort bike'. I used both the Jamis and C-dale to ride to work on, so they were 'commuters'. I was a 'commuter'.

My current 'commuter' is a RANS recumbent. It's a great 'commuter'. I ride it on the road, too, but I won't call it a 'road bike'.