Inevitably the large but limited public funds disbursed to research institutes and universities would become bones of political contention, attracting courtesans, lobbyists, and consumers as only a large honeypot of dollars does.

FORBES: Big Science, Big Government

But, as Ms Neilson points out, in 16th-century Italy when courtesans and aristocrats often dressed alike noblewomen had also taken to favouring yellow.

ECONOMIST: Parmigianino at the Frick

She and Ada had work to do: keep books, prepare the courtesans and greet their boys, watching each man admire the seesaw sway of a girl's rear as he followed her up the stairs.

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