I will rep the unpopular camp that likes the liberal use of the term "variation."
I was raised on the old collecting definitions of what is and isn't a "true variation" and while I do like the idea (in theory) of a strict definition, the powers that be (SCD, Beckett, etc) do not adhere to their own parameters. The 1990 Topps Frank Thomas is the hobby's most famous print flaw, or RPD, but there is no catalog entry for the countless mass-produced common player Topps cards that were printed without portions of an ink color. Iconic players, set and specific cards seem to exempt from the rules.
And like Al mentioned, I understand the negative response to the liberal use of the terms if you are a master set or registry collector. But for me, someone who entered the hobby at the peak of the "error craze," I love the hunt and my favorite part of the hobby is discovering new variations. Combine that with being a player collector and a new variety for me to chase is always welcome.
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