Ethereum isn't 'just' an altcoin, it's Eth...

It stands alone without Bitcoin and any good cryptocurrency will do that. Altcoin is an umbrella term to refer to coins 'other' than Bitcoin. I think their success deteremines whether or not they get to be referred to by their name or simply as 'an altcoin'.

I see the sentiment, but Bitcoin simply 'is'. It may become redundant, but the success of any other coin will always be considered relative to Bitcoin.

I.E.

Ethereum in 2020 might hit $20,000,000.

Headline:

"Ethereum reaches price 1 million times that of Bitcoin".

See what I mean?