There's a simple algorithm for making up new Twitter words: Take an existing word and defile it by changing the initial consonant to "tw." Here are just a few examples:

• Twirting. Flirting on Twitter, an activity popularized by former Valleywag editor Nick Douglas.
• Tweeps. Twitter peeps, or friends. Seemingly intelligent people like Air America radio hostess Ana Marie Cox use this in an apparently unironic manner.
• Twisticuffs. A fight between Twitter users.

It just gets worse from there. But the single most horrible Twitter word is surely "twebinar," which is a Web seminar — "webinar" — conducted over Twitter. Twanks, but no twanks.

(Photoillustration via Maximum PC)

After a strong resurgence in 2005 and showing strong staying power through 2007, lately most of the people I've seen use it fit into two categories: 1) people over 40 who have finally had the word passed down the cool chain from their younger friends and coworkers. 2) the "douches" originally being described themselves.

• Web 2.0.This marketing term was old when Time magazine made "You" the person of the year in 2006. CNET reporter Caroline McCarthy might have just killed it for good.
• Bubble. We can't be in a recession and a bubble at the same time, people. Pick just one economic theory to overhype, please.
• Influencers. This term is on the tip of every social media marketer's tongue as they look to find that one Facebook user who will spark a forest fire for the clients' brands. Problem is: Uncountable variables set the conditions for a forest fire. The spark is just the most visible. And research shows influencers aren't the real firestarters.
• MicroHoo. Microsoft-Yahoo is what, seven characters longer? This word is only OK if Jerry Yang and Steve Ballmer both become Jeves Bang or Stevey Yallmer. Which I don't think is going to happen. Unless more weed is involved.
• Dead simple. From now on, this phrase should only be used ironically. As in: "IsMikeArringtonADick.com makes it dead simple to find out if Mike Arrington is a dick."