The Margin couldn't help noticing staff at Gandon Capital Markets were up bright and early on Monday. In a precursor to their morning commentary, the wits at Gandon noted that McDonald's Corporation is denying reports that EU officials are forcing the abolition of the "Quarter Pounder".

What next? asked Gandon. "Pirates being hung from the Metre Arm or perhaps that thing on the end of your leg being called a "30 centimetre"?