"Vortex" the new "in" word!

Lately I've been finding the word "vortex" everywhere.   New Age / spiritual types experience a "moment", inspiration or message from the gods, whatever it may be, and label the site a "vortex".   Serious shoppers walk down the aisle at Wal-Mart and discover an irresistible treasure, and sure enough, it's a "vortex".   The one that intrigues me most is this year's winter phenomenon, the "polar vortex".   Excuse me, but didn't we used to call that a "Canadian air mass"?