Connotations and misperceptions shouldn't be ruling these people or what label they slap on themselves. I know a lot of people don't like a lot of terms in the community, but they do much more good than harm. I so often hear "Thank you for describing this type of therianthropy, I Thought I was alone" or similar comments. But the terms become useless when people's misconceptions get in the way.
I've suggested on TO that we start to create a new term for people who are consistantly putting themselves under the contherian label, but still experience shifts. A lot of people say it's not necessary, but given the gross misuse of the term, and the confusion surrounding it, I think some changes need to be made, and some foots to come down.