If you are offended at all by an insinuation that you might be a wanna be operator then yes you are a wanna be operator.
Let's ask the profesionals.
They talk about silencers
http://www.silencertalk.com
They talk about silencers
http://www.silencerresearch.com
They make and sell silencers
http://www.advanced-armament.com/silencers.asp
Even paint ball operators understand the terms mean the same thing.
http://forum.specialopspaintball.com...showtopic=1211
This company sells silencers
http://www.impactguns.com/store/awc.html
I am sure you or I can find just as many profesionals who use supressor, just as many use sound moderator, etc. as they are the same.