Shadowy

I mostly get my news from listening NPR or reading CNN.com. Over the course of the last week or so I have heard or read a person or group described as being "shadowy" four times. I don't remember the word "shadowy" being used to describe things a lot so I wonder if this is some sort of new trend? The first time I heard it I was amused because it sounded so cloak and dagger and like typical journalistic sensationalism. But now it's everywhere I turn. It's like last year when Sharon and I found out what BBW meant and then we saw it or heard it everywhere. On the news, from friends, on license plates, etc. Thank god no one is talking about shadowy BBWs!