Short but powerful, the word ‘hack’ has multiple lingustic uses. It can be a noun, a verb, an adjective, a verbal phrase and an idiom.

However, I’ve chosen to highlight its use as an adjective.

The word ‘hack’ is a truncation of the word ‘hackneyed,’ which describes something trite and banal.

Example of formal usage:

The lyrics to 13 year-old Rebecca Black’s song, “Friday” are so hackneyed as to be utterly embarrassing.

Example of informal usage:

Jesus H. Christ, they really need to fire the hack writer who wrote that song.