The LINQ API is modeled after relational algebra (where `Select` acts as projection, and `Where` acts as selection, etc.), which is as good a basis for operatio

The LINQ API is modeled after relational algebra (where `Select` acts as projection, and `Where` acts as selection, etc.), which is as good a basis for operations on collections as anything. It is not even clear that other popular names have precedent, let alone especially useful expressive power beyond what normal relational algebras afford. Besides that, one of the early intents behind LINQ was to allow a language-integrated ORM, so LINQ's choices for names are actually extremely appropriate.