"Take the lead" is certainly an expression used in the UK to denote guiding people, as in "I'll take the lead". I assume both come from ballroom dancing.

I'm sure it's used elsewhere but it may also simply be a conflation of the two.

Very much so - it's why I came into the comments.

I move back and forth between the standards. My laptop and 75% mechanical are ANSI, my work laptop and Bluetooth keyboard are ISO.

You'd be surprised how quickly you get used to switching between them.

Unfortunately, you violated the law slightly by asking a question!

Cunningham's Law states "the best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer."

I think you're underestimating the intelligence of average people. There's definitely a lack of knowledge, but average people are plenty smart to invent everything you've listed. It just takes time and is an iterative process.

I guess that's the part where it screeches and wails like a banshee for about ten minutes?