A most bizarre terminology the industry has come up with. Almost feels a bit derogatory.

That's the natural way languages develop, offensive terms replaces with euphemisms, given some time every euphemistic term become loaded with the same negative connotations of its origin and new euphemism get introduced.

see: https://thelingspace.tumblr.com/post/114432905996/the-euphem...

Better than grunt, peon, peasant, minion, or drone.