I never use the expression "vicious cycle," and discourage others from doing so at every turn. It is used by those who are unaware that the original and correct expression is "vicious circle," which somehow doesn't sound "fancy" or "professional" enough for them. They never think of the fact that there's a huge difference between "circle" (an endless loop) and "cycle" (a series of changes capable of repetition or renewal).
Rescuing precision in English is already a lost cause. Thank god for Greek! :-P