The level of "we have to use a different word or grouping of words to mask a word that would really be fine in a midieval world" has gotten out of hand, IMO.

I never really liked the use of the word "rank" instead of "level", either. Why do people think it is better? Or "guild circle"?

Even the word "experience" has been villified by RP watchdogs. I understand not saying "I need 2000 exp to level." But that's not to say that those words shouldn't be used.

"The damage from that initial pincer was unexpected." is no more OOC than saying "The pain I felt from your initial cleave was large."

OOC is more along the lines of terms that don't make sense in a fantasy setting. I'm all in favor of using phrasing like "My mind wanders briefly." instead of "AFK peeing."

But let's not go overboard. I once had someone try to be a RP Nazi to one of my characters who answered some idiotic taunt with "Ok." He then went OOC on me to explain how "OK was totally OOC." Then I told him to open a door and close it, and see what he saw. He went rabid-foaming-at-the-mouth on me and I did my best to ignore him (pre-ignore-command).