Gold Seam

The gold seam is an account that the British link back to the Russians that is used to launder money. Smiley comes to believe that this particular gold seam is to fund Nelson Ko's escape from China and the sale of important government information by Nelson to the Russians.

The Circus

The Circus is a slang name for British Secret Service.

The Cousins

The Cousins is a slang name for the American CIA.

Dolphin

Dolphin is the code name for the investigation into the gold seam that Smiley has connected to Nelson Ko.

Green Phone

Smiley has a direct line installed between his office and that of the Cousins that is green.

Horses

Drake Ko races horses in Hong Kong. Ko's most successful horse is named Nelson, which the Circus at first assumes is in honor of his son until they learn that Ko's brother is...