1.   And it is, of course, against the mighty mark -- and the distant Japanese yen -- that the dollar has fared poorly of late.

2.   A large majority of Germans opposes trading their mighty mark for a mushy idea called the euro.

3.   But ditching the mighty mark is not a popular idea among Germans.

4.   Such ideas seem sure to lead to a clash with Germany, which opposes any moves seen weakening the currency that will replace the mighty mark.

5.   Such ideas seem sure to lead to a clash with Germany, which opposes any moves that could weaken the currency that is to replace the mighty mark.

6.   Yet, German officials and business executives are playing down a trend that has sent the mighty mark to six-year lows against the U.S. currency this week.

7.   Frankfurt has been worried about the effect of the mighty mark on German exports and hence company earnings.

8.   Most European currencies lost ground against the mighty mark on Tuesday.

9.   Operators also feared concerted central bank intervention to prop up limping currencies against the mighty mark, Barr said.

10.   The Frankfurt stock market nosedived this week as investors worried increasingly about the effects of the mighty mark on German exports and hence on company earnings.