Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers.[…]Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. Clever financial ploys are what have made billionaires of the industry’s veterans. “Operational improvement” in a portfolio company has often meant little more than promising colossal bonuses to sitting chief executives if they meet ambitious growth targets. That model is still prevalent today.

The apparent success of the City and South London triggered an avalanche of bills for Tube railways, and in 1892 a Joint Select Committee of Parliament set out some ground rules.

[T]he term couscous is applied to the cereal along with a great variety of accompanying tajins (stews) and desserts.

The prior year's numbers can generally be tied out to previously published numbers, and applicable accounting systems are a good source to garner both the prior and current year numbers.