Yes, there's big confusion about the term "backpacking." For this site (and generally in North America), it means wilderness trekking, carrying your food, lodging and other gear on your back on hiking trails, generally far from civilization. Outside North America, "backpacking" generally means budget travel living out of a backpack instead of a suitcase and staying in hostels. There's a big difference!

Of course, many of us have also done the budget travel thing, but that's not the focus here.