What do you call a synonym that actually isn’t?

What’s up with the use of the word priesthood to actually mean men?

It gets ridiculous at times, like when i’ve seen active-but-nonmember husbands of members of the church included in the blanket label the priesthood.

Not to mention, of course, that the priesthood doesn’t direct traffic at stake conferences, people do. Is that really such a difficult distinction to make?

p.s. I’m going to be traveling and at family reunions the next bit, so posting on this blog may be sporadic the next month. Or maybe not. We’ll see.