How did American colonists refer to the Revolutionary War while the event was taking place? Did they use the same names we use today (The War of Independence, American Revolutionary War etc.) or did they call it something different? If so, did these names vary by colony/region?
There are definitely instances where it is referred to as a revolution. It's also been called the war, the American cause, and rebellion. The British more so called it a rebellion, and today call it The American War for Independence. So if you were British or British leaning you would probably refer to it as the rebellion. One advertisment can be found at this link. https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/pnp316574eng/british-recruitment-poster-for-the-first-battalion-of-pennsylvania-loyalists-during-the-american-revolutionary-war-pnp316574-eng/
George Washington calls it the American cause in a letter to Martha in June 1775 explaining he's to lead the soldiers. Further down he also refers to it as the campaign. Benjamin Franklin refers to it as both the war and a Civil War in his letters. To read some of the founding fathers letters go to this link.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0003