Cossack ( & others)
I agree with all that you say. The controller uses his experience & separates the traffic. No argument. Nor do I criticise the ATC service provided. It obviously works ! Also, there is no intention to compare US & European ATC in a competetive way.
My point is, perhaps, on the semantics. Why use a phrase which is used NOT according to its meaning, & which is used in a purely perfunctory & meaningless capacity - as I see it.
Why not use a different phrase, which has no element of possible confusion attached to it, instead ?