Well, the kernel is Linux and the OS is whatever the distribution or special purpose is called.
There is a distinction as Linux is used in far more than operating systems and at times is run with just the kernel and an application, with no possible interface between any user and application.
Problem is that most Linux desktop users have fuck all clue what Linux is all used for and wouldn't know how to interface with 99% of all the linux running devices on the planet.
Yeah, since you can also use a different Kernel and end up with something that looks like a Linux distribution, anyone who has ever used common Linux distributions is instantly familiar with, while definitely not being Linux.
I'm reminded of this after the hoopla at the Northern Border died down (lemmy.ca)
Bless their little hearts as they also blamed Canada again…
big deal (jlai.lu)