For Lockheed that is slightly awkward: neither America's defence budget nor Lockheed's share of it is likely to grow much.

ECONOMIST: Lockheed Martin

He has also had a slightly awkward relationship with the national Democratic Party, though this tells as much about the party as it does about him.

ECONOMIST: John Kerry

Two young graffiti artists from the Bronx, the slightly nerdy and awkward Malcolm (Ty Hickson) and the sharp-tongued, fast-witted Sofia (Tashiana Washington), platonic friends, try to hustle up money for an attention-grabbing coup: tagging the Home Run Apple at Citi Field.

NEWYORKER: Gimme the Loot

On an international stage, the prime minister often cuts an awkward, slightly defensive figure, tall, but stiff and unsmiling.

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In particular, I'd be slightly surprised if the contingent of Tory awkward squaddies on the committee remained unscathed.

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It has also adopted the same pebble-like design that's found on the Galaxy S III, which makes the Note II slightly thinner (9.4mm vs. 9.7mm) and helps it feel a little less awkward in-hand than the original version, which used the square and slightly blockier GS2 design language.

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He walks bent slightly forward at the waist, as if he found it awkward to have a body.

NEWYORKER: No Death, No Taxes