It kinda means the person isn't sure of the right word choice. Perhaps that they are not sure the term really fits or that it is being called that by someone else, and socially they feel like they should use the term, but they're not sure it really is accurate. Sometimes people use it because they are uncomfortable with the social implications.
Thanks very much, this is what W described as where she was going to a friend ..
She said I am going on a coffee "date" and i use that term lightly, don't tell H as I want to keep the peace..
