That begs the question, can we define once and for all what is the difference between startup and side/pet projects?
There was no mention about revenues or even users. I found the story very inspiring but the terms need to be clarified else startup is going to be used very loosely. We might as well all call ourselves founders/ceo's/entrepreneurs in which case.
> what is the difference between startup and side/pet projects
It's a very large and fluid boundary. Lots of startups take less time than "side" projects, lots of side projects turn into incorporated startups, etc. If in doubt, just say you're working on a project.
> We might as well all call ourselves founders/ceo's/entrepreneurs
Lots of people do that. I would suggest not so much focusing on your title, but rather focusing on your work, and bringing it to the point at which you can proudly call yourself by whatever title you deserve.
> Begging the question is an informal logical fallacy
Usage dictates meaning. More people use and understand 'begs the question' in the GP's context than in the logical fallacy context. Few members of the public could even tell you what an 'informal logical fallacy' is (even the idea of it without that specific label).
Edit: your own wikipedia link even points out this same point, at the end in the Modern Usage section.
I'm pretty sure the only place you're allowed to call out this use of "begging the question" is when responding to someone who is objecting to some other form of linguistic drift, so it was OK in this case.
There was no mention about revenues or even users. I found the story very inspiring but the terms need to be clarified else startup is going to be used very loosely. We might as well all call ourselves founders/ceo's/entrepreneurs in which case.