These are known as B, B-bar, B-plus and B-minus.

ECONOMIST: The arrow of time

The ratings firm lowered Italy's credit rating by one notch to triple-B-plus, three steps above "junk" territory, citing concerns about political uncertainty at a time of economic weakness.

WSJ: Stocks Move Higher, Again

"Tim Bradley, in almost every respect is a B-plus fighter but he has A-plus determination that makes him special, " said Max Kellerman, a CNN contributor and an analyst for HBO, which like CNN is owned by Time Warner.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

When A borrows from B, the concept is that B will receive the value originally lent, plus some defined amount of interest.

FORBES: The Fiat Dollar: As Unreliable As My 1971 Fiat 124 Sedan

This is the one fans have been waiting for, literally for years -- 56 previously unissued cuts (plus 10 hard-to-find B sides) that Springsteen, in his pathological perfectionism, never included on his official albums.

CNN: Review: 'Tracks' follow Springsteen at the top

Plus, why would you even want to maintain a B-team?

FORBES: Put Down Your TPS Reports! Study Reveals 'Office Space' Culture in 42% of Companies - Part II