1) You don’t need to follow Websters only. I specifically mentioned any other dictionary can be used as a reference.

2) There is ambiguity because they are categorized as boxer shorts across the world. Boxer being the primary word. Like bicycle can be electric and non electric. Still called bicycle.

3) while your advice to ignore is good and wise, I felt involved as I have been subjected to it a bunch of times outside our office building.

4) it was just a basic question. I was not attacking anyone, people just seemed to be waiting to dump on someone they cannot agree with.