'For lack of a better term'

[AH020387]

When somone says a word/term then says 'for lack of a better term...', does it mean that no better term exists period, or does it mean no better term comes to their mind at the moment?

 

[billmcd]

When somone says a word/term then says 'for lack of a better term...', does it mean that no better term exists period, or does it mean no better term comes to their mind at the moment?

It could mean either depending on the speaker's/writer's use of the phrase.

 

[riquecohen]

When somone says a word/term then says 'for lack of a better term...', does it mean that no better term exists period, or does it mean no better term comes to their mind at the moment?

It can mean either one.