Is ETH still ERC20?

I'm curious about a seemingly straightforward but intriguing question that often surfaces in the crypto community. Many individuals, particularly newcomers, are left wondering: Is Ethereum (ETH) still considered an ERC20 token? While Ethereum is, of course, the foundation and platform upon which ERC20 tokens are built, it's important to clarify this distinction. Ethereum itself is not an ERC20 token; rather, it's the blockchain network that enables the creation and deployment of ERC20 tokens. So, in essence, the question begs for a clarification of the relationship between Ethereum and ERC20 tokens. Could you elaborate on this, and perhaps explain why this confusion persists?