What is it with WD-40?

Why do people think it's a good lubricant and insist on using it on things that a real lubricant like PB blaster or Kroil should be used on.

Today I got home from work and the neighbor was trying to open a rusty gate for the first time in 20 years. I went over to help him and he said "let's use wd 40 on it. So he sprayed some and it didn't have any effect. Then I ran over to my shed and got some pb blaster. The pb blaster immediately made the rust "muddy" and we were able to muscle the gate open.

Why are people stuck on WD 40 when it's not a real lubricant.

Agree on the PB blaster, shake well before using.