Although a quite precise clinical definition was given to the term 'chronic bronchitis' in the early sixties, the terminology related to nonasthmatic, nonemphysematous obstructive airway disease remains a continuous source of confusion, as indicated by a recent international survey. Although histological studies point to the presence of widespread bronchial inflammation in this condition, preference should be given to simple and descriptive terminology in which the presence of airflow limitation is clearly and predominantly indicated, since it mostly affects prognosis. There would be no need to redefine 'chronic bronchitis', but simply replacing it by 'chronic mucus hypersecretion', to which it actually refers, would be the preferred solution.