Well, my first reaction was that you may be over-reacting some on parts 1 & 2.   I would not take the words at face value to be degrading.    For the most part, it would have to depend on a the context and tone of the delivery to get that feeling.

Personally, I don't use either of those.   Because I like to remind the boys that they are Cub/Boy Scouts as often as possible to relay a sense of structure/order.   Calling them Cubbies might seem to cute/playful and invite more of a romper room mentality…  which I get enough of, without having to invite it.  But degrading?  I wouldn't call it that.

I have to say "Signs Up" in my group, also.  Not because of defeating the purpose…  but it saves little time.  If I just did the sign, it would take minutes for the whole group to notice and come to complete order.   If I say "Signs Up", I get about 1/2 the group coming to attention right away… and it still takes a while for the other jibberers to catch on.   If I had it my way, I'd bring a bull horn to the meeting.   But even with me having to say "Signs Up", it's still an exercise in perception/attention for most of my boys.

And people wonder why my hair is gray…