Why all the nit-picking? The "set" or "trips" thing is mildly useful when someone knows it, but it's not that common. I hear 3 of-a-kind called a "set of trips" all the time both live and by TV announcers (Mike Sexton, e.g.).

The use of either word can not have confused you to the point of misunderstanding. I don't think I'm giving you too much credit there as being a guy who can figure things out.