I think it's the rhyme is great, because it stems from intuitive tactics and even more, is way easy to remember because it rhymes.
First - big ranged damaging bursts (like fireball)
Last - Close blast like breath weapons and thunderwave
I agree with the OP, that different words would have been better. I can always figure it out if I think about it for a sec, but it's a pain to have words so interchangable in common speech. This fun little rhyme will take me about 1/2 sec to get my head straight on the words.