The term four stroke cycle refers to the number of strokes required to complete one cycle. IE four strokes to a cycle . Yes the common vernacular is in error ,not altogether unusual It has been shortened over the years to 2 stroke or 4 stroke. Briggs and Stratton is (was) misusing the term when they refer(ed) to the 2 cycle engines they also made at one time , Right now many manufacturers are dropping two stroke cycle engines as they have been outlawed in many applications for failure to meet air and noise pollution standards. (More to follow). A few years ago ALL two stroke cycle outboards were nealy outlawed INCLUDING the older ones .