Those around George Osborne have for months been - perhaps a tad optimistically - arguing that once the economic figures turn around, then the political figures will shift too.

BBC: End to recession gives hope to coalition partners

The finalists of Euro 96 are now expected, perhaps a little over-optimistically, to go one better.

BBC: Jozef Chovanec

They're making plans now for -- even as they drill these two relief wells that optimistically will take quite some time -- how do we plug this leak either through using the robotics to effect the valve -- how are we dispersing this so that that oil never gets to the top and then through a natural system gets -- largely dissipates at the bottom?

WHITEHOUSE: Aboard Air Force One En Route Andrews Air Force Base

First, higher personal-saving rates and (more optimistically) a lower federal deficit will hold down long-term interest rates and the cost of capital.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus

In other words short-term options players have been more optimistically aligned toward the shares only 4.4% of the time during the past year.

FORBES: Magazine Article

This reading is also lower than 79% of all those taken during the past year, indicating that short-term options players have been more optimistically aligned toward the shares only 21% of the time.

FORBES: Fertile Speculations With Call Options On Three Ag Plays

Lehman, for example, optimistically acquired the specialist operations of Van der Moolen (nyse: VDM - news - people ) this month.

FORBES: NYSE Looks For Options

First, there are Medicare cuts (or optimistically, Medicare efficiencies), which will have no direct impact whatsoever on employers or working-age patients.

FORBES: The Real Health Care "Job Killer"