Why does the term 'gas' sometimes persist in popular descriptions of stars?

Answer

It describes the elemental composition or the diffuse appearance of outer layers.

The term gas persists either because it lists the elemental composition (Hydrogen, Helium) or because the constituent particles are very far apart in the outer regions, giving a diffuse appearance.

Why does the term 'gas' sometimes persist in popular descriptions of stars?
starsplasmaastrophysicsliquidgas