This doesn’t answer the question, but I think “ping” is a fine way to describe it, as most people will know what you mean. If you want a more technical word, “latency” is a generalized form of “ping”.

No; I use it decently often. I also know that typing “2014” and pressing alt-x in Word will insert an emdash if I don’t have access to a number pad.

Alt-0151 on windows

I’ve never been called out as AI for using them; but if I ever am, I have the strategy of knowing the alt code for them (0151). I even know the shortcut in word to insert one — pressing alt-X with your cursor at the end of “2014”. I also have a vscode macro set up that is just an emdash, just in case I’m in a situation where there’s not a way I know to insert one.