I still have an internal debate whether or not progressive means that it's not traditional, it's better, more evolved, OR because the tracks progress (but all do!). I strongly believe it's the first.
The problems occurred when someone put a label on the first couple of (uplifting/progressive/etc) tracks and, as the time went, the words and structures stuck, rather than the essence of the words in the tracks. The more the genre evolved, the more it was pronounced, they became almost like brands/marketing words, categories to differ between the styles. So I kinda understand the point of this thread.
But nowadays, I agree with you Hens, it is quite easy to make a distinction, even instinctively.