I think git branch only doesn't "branch" if you already have a differing idea of what a "branch" should be from another revision control system. For example, I

I think git branch only doesn't "branch" if you already have a differing idea of what a "branch" should be from another revision control system. For example, I consider that CSV and Subversion don't have branches, but just "copies". To my mind, what git branch does is exactly what branching is.