My favorite "pattern for stupid passphrase requirements" is "1qaz@WSX" - then just move a row to the right with every password change. :)

Funny how most people go for ! as the default special character :)

It adds to the excitement of logging into an application. Instead of "login", you get to "login!".

I think it's a natural outgrowth of how so many people chose "1" when they were forced to add a number to their passwords.