Jay, as one of the "offenders" I have just two things to say:

1. If you don't want me to use the phrase "slippery slope", what would you suggest as an alternative? "self-propelling habit that gets waaaaay out of hand (but is a blast !)"? "never ending quest for casino stuff"? I really would prefer a catchy two-word phrase...."rolling snowball" ??!?!

2. As a trained and skilled butcher, my husband really doesn't approve of people using the word "butcher" in lieu of the words mangle, massacre, destroy, botch, bungle, etc. (regardless of whether or not it's a gramatically correct use of the word)