Sorry buddy, but EVERYONE else in RC forever has used high ratios being higher numbers, in relation to gear ratios. I think you may have your input-output wrong with the way you are referencing. It's a "high" ratio becuase at 10:1 the motor has to spin more to move the car than, say, 6:1.
I'm sure if the entire RC industry is at odds with the engineering community they won't lose too much sleep over it....