With more doubt now about the bank's intentions, one thing is clear: well-heeled City types will be taking a keener-than-usual interest in the pay deals of lesser mortals in the months ahead.

ECONOMIST: Interest-rate prospects hinge on pay

In the 1974 World Cup final, the Dutch scored against the Germans without the lesser mortals having even touched the ball, and then taunted their opponents with 20 minutes of arrogant, sublime, total football.

ECONOMIST: Football

Custom jobs are prized by lesser mortals, too.

FORBES: Magazine Article

For starters, women in Brazil appear to have bodies unblemished by the ravages that plague the rest of us lesser, paler mortals.

NPR: Carnival in Rio: A Party Like No Other