> I've never owned anything
> older than the '95 Odyssey, which uses ground connections through the
> 'headlight switch', 'flash-to-pass switch', the 'dimmer switch', as well
> as the 'DRL control unit'.

I have seen newer Accords that switch ground through the light switch as
well.

> Would you agree that 90% of people in the world think that 'short' is
> the right term to describe an 'open'?

I think I would make it more general and say that most people say
"short" when what they really mean is "some sort of electrical problem".