Lost vs uncertain of position?
Not as a comment on phraseology, however:
On one of my pre-ppl qualifying solo navs the C172 I was flying decided to start indicating empty in one wing - that rather distracted me for a few minutes. Without concerning that, I decided it was the gauge and plodded on. Some while later I started getting concerned that a few landmarks weren't popping up as expected. Hmm. Then it dawned. In the faff over the fuel I'd only gone and forgotten about the DI, and FREDA checks. We were about 20degrees off the compass.
When, for how long? Line on map from last known position (turnpoint) - worst case a couple of miles from a parallel airspace step, heading roughly SE. Dropped below that, just to be on the safe side. In my case, given the airspace, my (very approximate) location, and prospects, I decided to head due south towards the coast which was at max 30nm away, towards an area I knew well, and away from the airspace. Worst case, get to the coast and turn left.
Maybe 10 minutes later I could pick up enough landmarks to be really positive about my location, drew a line and got back with the program.
So, was I lost? Not really.. I had a fair idea, though pretty rough. Unsure of position? Damn straight!
And, for the record, not a by the book solution either.