Throughout the past, annoying year,

These pesky buzzwords chewed our ear.

The pols and pundits always rapped,

About the "growing income gap."

The health care website brought travail;

And was, no doubt, an "epic fail."

We used our phones, like Santa's elfies,

Sending out those shameless "selfies."

Obama even took a shot,

And said, you'd "keep your plan" — or not.

Pope Francis with a wink "rebranded."

A papal "rockstar" who was candid!

We wondered who he would be next:

"Change agent" or an "architect"?

Reporters told us what was "trending,"

Hyping Miley's sexy bending.

She showed the world just how to "twerk,"

While network censors she did irk.

Ron Burgundys on local news,

With cliches, drama they did ooze:

"Crises," "cliffs," these vain lotharios,

Instilled in us "doomsday scenarios."

Orwellian, the NSA,

Collected "mega data" — hey!

While corporate types "did more with less,"

And bucked the "headwinds" of distress.

"Repurposing," they "doubled down"

On their "core business" to stay sound.

"Unpacking" schemes and new flow charts,

Their plans had "lots of moving parts."

And foodies all became so vocal:

"Artisanal," "gluten-free" and "glocal."

A "greener" future seemed attainable,

If we could only be "sustainable."

To critics, films were "Kafkaesque,"

From this cliche we got no rest.

And they were always sure to mention,

That every flick portrayed "redemption."

While we all vowed to seek "our passion,"

"Class warfare," "gridlock" we were trashin'.

Even though we're "mired in debt,"

Financials had their best year yet.

As markets reached their all-time high,

We texted friends to tell them "Buy!"

So we had fun, both group and solo,

And soothed our guilt, proclaiming, "YOLO!"

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254