I know that BRP uses both terms. I am purely asking about the collective term for the basic character traits (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, etc).
So, when developing what would become BRP, Greg Stafford went with the term "Characteristics". However, Gygax went with "Attributes" which (based on my personal experience of 30+ years gaming) seems to be more common.
Does anyone know why this difference began? Where it may have started if I haven't found the sources in my mini-description above? etc