deferential—yielding in opinion, judgment, or wishes; showing respect.
F.O.B.—a commercial term standing for “free on board”; without charge to the buyer for placing goods on board a carrier at the point of shipment.
Piltdown Man—One of the great hoaxes of the twentieth century, the Piltdown man supposedly was an early species of modern man postulated from bones found near Piltdown (Sussex, England) around 1911 but exposed as a forgery in 1953.
Messerschmitt—a german fighter plane during World War II, manufactured by Willy Messerschmitt (1898–1978).
Hapsburg—a noble German family furnishing sovereigns to Australia (1278–1918) and to Spain (1516–1700). Here, there is an ironic reference to their credit rating.
dissuade—to advise against; to convince someone not to do something.
