Yes, I've always understood that a kilt isn't supposed to be called a "skirt." But, to me, it's a matter of semantics... because, in its physical aspects, clearly a kilt *is* a skirt. The word "skirt" can clearly be provocative.
Interesting to note that even the edition of Webster's that we currently have in my office actually defines
kilt as "a knee-length pleated skirt usu. of tartan. ..."
However, I think I know a number of Celtic purist historical reenactors (many, no doubt, inspired by
Braveheart) who would take great exception to that definition. To these people, a kilt is actually a quite long piece of fabric that gets wrapped around the body, and one end of it actually ends up being tossed over the shoulder. Dictionaries and popular usage notwithstanding, to these people a
kilt is
not something that looks like it should be worn by a Catholic schoolgirl.