Now why the FAA uses one term for the paper it issues and another for the
paper issued by all other nations is beyond my meager ability. It may be
easier to understand quantum mechanics. ;-)

Not at all hard to understand...
A License gives you legal rights... Some countries issue a Pilot
License...
A Certificate attests to a level of competence... The USA issues an
Airmans Certificate...

Your state drivers license gives you the legal right to operate a
motor vehicle and you may exercise that right at will and without
interference from the state.. For the state to take that license away
it must be able to prove to the court that there is an overriding
legal reason for the taking of something that is your 'right'....

A certificate (in this case the Airmans Certificate) does not confer
legal rights. Your airmans certificate gives you the 'privilege' of
flying only as long as Ms. Administrator of the FAA chooses. It can
be revoked at will, then you have to take the FAA to court and prove
that they had no reasonable cause for the revocation...

So the difference is sharp and clear...
To revoke a drivers license THEY must first prove that there is
adequate reason..
To get back your airmans certificate YOU must prove they were wrong in
revoking it...

denny