Explanations and descriptions

It seems like most people leave school utterly confused about how scientists use the words. E.g. 

• A theory is an explanation. 
• A hypothesis is an untested explanation.
• A law is a description.

Who is going to be better at adapting? Scientists or the public? So, why not...

• Newton's [mathematical] descriptions of motion. 
• The descriptions of thermodynamics.
• Einstein's explanation of relativity and gravity.
• The explanation of evolution by natural selection. 

Yes?