diff --git a/thursday/candidates/dlib.py b/thursday/candidates/dlib.py
index 000d35e..079c1e9 100644
--- a/thursday/candidates/dlib.py
+++ b/thursday/candidates/dlib.py
@@ -3,14 +3,14 @@ from .random import another_random_cube
 from ..utilities import wrap_untrustworthy, final
 
 
-def dlib_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    if n_dim > 35:
-        return another_random_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim)
+def dlib_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    if size > 35:
+        return another_random_cube(objective, size, budget)
 
-    _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
+    _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
 
     def __objective(*args):
         return _objective(list(args))
 
-    find_min_global(__objective, [0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim, n_trials)
+    find_min_global(__objective, [0.0] * size, [1.0] * size, budget)
     return _objective(final)
diff --git a/thursday/candidates/evolopy.py b/thursday/candidates/evolopy.py
index e7b80cc..c7a0639 100644
--- a/thursday/candidates/evolopy.py
+++ b/thursday/candidates/evolopy.py
@@ -43,18 +43,18 @@ def make_evolopy(optimizer_name, popsize=None):
     }
     optimizer = optimizers[optimizer_name.upper()]
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        # ps = n_dim if popsize is None else popsize
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        # ps = size if popsize is None else popsize
         # ps = max(4, ps) if optimizer_name.upper() == "DE" else ps
-        ps = int(4 + 3 * np.log(n_dim)) if popsize is None else popsize
+        ps = int(4 + 3 * np.log(size)) if popsize is None else popsize
         if optimizer_name.upper() == "GA" and ps & 1:
             ps += 1  # force popsize to be even
 
         _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(
-            objective, n_trials, bounding="sine", raising=True
+            objective, budget, bounding="sine", raising=True
         )
         try:
-            optimizer(_objective, 0.0, 1.0, n_dim, ps, n_trials)
+            optimizer(_objective, 0.0, 1.0, size, ps, budget)
         except ExhaustedTrialsError:
             pass
 
diff --git a/thursday/candidates/fcmaes.py b/thursday/candidates/fcmaes.py
index a0f8653..e1b188b 100644
--- a/thursday/candidates/fcmaes.py
+++ b/thursday/candidates/fcmaes.py
@@ -21,10 +21,10 @@ def _fix_logging(original_function):
 def make_biteopt(depth=1):
     from fcmaes.optimizer import Bite_cpp
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
-        optim = Bite_cpp(max_evaluations=n_trials, M=depth)
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
+        optim = Bite_cpp(max_evaluations=budget, M=depth)
         _xopt, _fopt, _feval_count = optim.minimize(_objective, bounds)
         return _objective(final)
 
@@ -37,10 +37,10 @@ def make_biteopt(depth=1):
 def make_csma(isigma=3):
     from fcmaes.optimizer import Csma_cpp
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
-        optim = Csma_cpp(max_evaluations=n_trials)
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
+        optim = Csma_cpp(max_evaluations=budget)
         _xopt, _fopt, _feval_count = optim.minimize(
             _objective, bounds, sdevs=1 / isigma
         )
@@ -55,12 +55,12 @@ def make_csma(isigma=3):
 def make_fcmaes(popsize=None):
     from fcmaes.optimizer import Cma_cpp
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
-        ps = int(4 + 3 * np.log(n_dim)) if popsize is None else popsize
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
+        ps = int(4 + 3 * np.log(size)) if popsize is None else popsize
         optim = Cma_cpp(
-            max_evaluations=n_trials,
+            max_evaluations=budget,
             popsize=ps,
             stop_hist=0.0,
             workers=1,
@@ -79,11 +79,11 @@ def make_fcmaes(popsize=None):
 def make_crfmnes(popsize=None):
     from fcmaes.optimizer import Crfmnes_cpp
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
-        ps = int(4 + 3 * np.log(n_dim)) if popsize is None else popsize
-        optim = Crfmnes_cpp(max_evaluations=n_trials, popsize=ps)
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
+        ps = int(4 + 3 * np.log(size)) if popsize is None else popsize
+        optim = Crfmnes_cpp(max_evaluations=budget, popsize=ps)
         _xopt, _fopt, _feval_count = optim.minimize(_objective, bounds, sdevs=1 / 3)
         return _objective(final)
 
@@ -98,10 +98,10 @@ _broken = """
 def make_lde(popsize=None):
     from fcmaes.optimizer import LDe_cpp
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
-        optim = LDe_cpp(max_evaluations=n_trials, popsize=popsize)
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
+        optim = LDe_cpp(max_evaluations=budget, popsize=popsize)
         _xopt, _fopt, _feval_count = optim.minimize(_objective, bounds)
         return _objective(final)
 
@@ -116,10 +116,10 @@ def make_lde(popsize=None):
 def make_da(local=True):
     from fcmaes.optimizer import Da_cpp
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
-        optim = Da_cpp(max_evaluations=n_trials, use_local_search=local)
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
+        optim = Da_cpp(max_evaluations=budget, use_local_search=local)
         _xopt, _fopt, _feval_count = optim.minimize(_objective, bounds)
         return _objective(final)
 
@@ -134,10 +134,10 @@ def make_da(local=True):
 def make_gclde(popsize=None):
     from fcmaes.optimizer import GCLDE_cpp
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
-        optim = GCLDE_cpp(max_evaluations=n_trials, popsize=popsize)
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
+        optim = GCLDE_cpp(max_evaluations=budget, popsize=popsize)
         _xopt, _fopt, _feval_count = optim.minimize(_objective, bounds)
         return _objective(final)
 
@@ -151,10 +151,10 @@ def make_gclde(popsize=None):
 def make_lclde(popsize=None):
     from fcmaes.optimizer import LCLDE_cpp
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials)
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
-        optim = LCLDE_cpp(max_evaluations=n_trials, popsize=popsize)
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
+        optim = LCLDE_cpp(max_evaluations=budget, popsize=popsize)
         _xopt, _fopt, _feval_count = optim.minimize(_objective, bounds)
         return _objective(final)
 
diff --git a/thursday/candidates/nevergrad.py b/thursday/candidates/nevergrad.py
index 79a81e3..134021c 100644
--- a/thursday/candidates/nevergrad.py
+++ b/thursday/candidates/nevergrad.py
@@ -303,8 +303,8 @@ assert ol.RSLSQP is ol.RSQP, "weirdness is gone, please adjust accordingly"
 assert ol.SLSQP is ol.SQP, "weirdness is gone, please adjust accordingly"
 
 
-def nevergrad_cube_factory(optimizer, objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    instrument = ng.p.Array(lower=0, upper=1, shape=(n_dim,))  # better sigma
+def nevergrad_cube_factory(optimizer, objective, size, budget):
+    instrument = ng.p.Array(lower=0, upper=1, shape=(size,))  # better sigma
     # ev.RBO, ev.QRBO, ev.MidQRBO, and ev.LBO still complain, though:
     # /home/py/.local/lib/python3.10/site-packages/nevergrad/parametrization/_datalayers.py:107: NevergradRuntimeWarning: Bounds are 1.0 sigma away from each other at the closest, you should aim for at least 3 for better quality.
     if optimizer in (ev.RBO, ev.QRBO, ev.MidQRBO, ev.LBO):
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ def nevergrad_cube_factory(optimizer, objective, n_trials, n_dim):
     opt = optimizer
     assert opt is not None, optimizer
 
-    optimizer = opt(parametrization=instrument, budget=n_trials, num_workers=1)
+    optimizer = opt(parametrization=instrument, budget=budget, num_workers=1)
 
     feval_count = 0
 
diff --git a/thursday/candidates/nlopt.py b/thursday/candidates/nlopt.py
index d3a7d70..4776369 100644
--- a/thursday/candidates/nlopt.py
+++ b/thursday/candidates/nlopt.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ NLOPTIMIZERS = {
 }
 
 
-def nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, method):
+def nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, method):
     optim = NLOPTIMIZERS[method]
 
     feval_count = 0
@@ -57,19 +57,19 @@ def nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, method):
         nonlocal feval_count, best_so_far
         fx = objective(x)
         feval_count += 1
-        if feval_count <= n_trials:
+        if feval_count <= budget:
             if best_so_far is None or fx < best_so_far[0]:
                 best_so_far = (fx, x)
         return fx
 
-    opt = nlopt.opt(optim, n_dim)
-    opt.set_lower_bounds([0.0] * n_dim)
-    opt.set_upper_bounds([1.0] * n_dim)
+    opt = nlopt.opt(optim, size)
+    opt.set_lower_bounds([0.0] * size)
+    opt.set_upper_bounds([1.0] * size)
     opt.set_min_objective(_objective)
-    opt.set_maxeval(n_trials)
+    opt.set_maxeval(budget)
 
     try:
-        opt.optimize([0.5] * n_dim)
+        opt.optimize([0.5] * size)
     except nlopt.RoundoffLimited as e:
         print(  # FIXME: de-uglify this!
             "\033[33m",
@@ -86,106 +86,106 @@ def nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, method):
     return fopt, xopt, feval_count
 
 
-def nlopt_ags_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_ags")
+def nlopt_ags_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_ags")
 
 
-def nlopt_crs2_lm_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_crs2_lm")
+def nlopt_crs2_lm_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_crs2_lm")
 
 
-def nlopt_direct_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_direct")
+def nlopt_direct_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_direct")
 
 
-def nlopt_direct_l_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_direct_l")
+def nlopt_direct_l_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_direct_l")
 
 
-def nlopt_direct_l_noscal_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+def nlopt_direct_l_noscal_cube(objective, size, budget):
     return nlopt_cube_factory(
-        objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_direct_l_noscal"
+        objective, size, budget, "gn_direct_l_noscal"
     )
 
 
-def nlopt_direct_lr_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+def nlopt_direct_lr_cube(objective, size, budget):
     return nlopt_cube_factory(
-        objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_direct_l_rand"
+        objective, size, budget, "gn_direct_l_rand"
     )
 
 
-def nlopt_direct_lr_noscal_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+def nlopt_direct_lr_noscal_cube(objective, size, budget):
     return nlopt_cube_factory(
-        objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_direct_l_rand_noscal"
+        objective, size, budget, "gn_direct_l_rand_noscal"
     )
 
 
-def nlopt_direct_noscal_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+def nlopt_direct_noscal_cube(objective, size, budget):
     return nlopt_cube_factory(
-        objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_direct_noscal"
+        objective, size, budget, "gn_direct_noscal"
     )
 
 
-def nlopt_esch_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_esch")
+def nlopt_esch_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_esch")
 
 
-def nlopt_isres_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_isres")
+def nlopt_isres_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_isres")
 
 
-def nlopt_mlsl_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_mlsl")
+def nlopt_mlsl_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_mlsl")
 
 
-def nlopt_mlsl_lds_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_mlsl_lds")
+def nlopt_mlsl_lds_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_mlsl_lds")
 
 
-def nlopt_orig_direct_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_orig_direct")
+def nlopt_orig_direct_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "gn_orig_direct")
 
 
-def nlopt_orig_direct_l_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+def nlopt_orig_direct_l_cube(objective, size, budget):
     return nlopt_cube_factory(
-        objective, n_trials, n_dim, "gn_orig_direct_l"
+        objective, size, budget, "gn_orig_direct_l"
     )
 
 
-def nlopt_auglag_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_auglag")
+def nlopt_auglag_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_auglag")
 
 
-def nlopt_auglag_eq_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_auglag_eq")
+def nlopt_auglag_eq_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_auglag_eq")
 
 
-def nlopt_bobyqa_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_bobyqa")
+def nlopt_bobyqa_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_bobyqa")
 
 
-def nlopt_cobyla_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_cobyla")
+def nlopt_cobyla_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_cobyla")
 
 
-def nlopt_neldermead_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_neldermead")
+def nlopt_neldermead_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_neldermead")
 
 
-def nlopt_newuoa_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_newuoa")
+def nlopt_newuoa_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_newuoa")
 
 
-def nlopt_newuoa_bound_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_newuoa_bound")
+def nlopt_newuoa_bound_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_newuoa_bound")
 
 
-def nlopt_praxis_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_praxis")
+def nlopt_praxis_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_praxis")
 
 
-def nlopt_sbplx_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, n_trials, n_dim, "ln_sbplx")
+def nlopt_sbplx_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    return nlopt_cube_factory(objective, size, budget, "ln_sbplx")
 
 
 NLOPT_OPTIMIZERS = [
diff --git a/thursday/candidates/notwa.py b/thursday/candidates/notwa.py
index 94f59e7..3304bad 100644
--- a/thursday/candidates/notwa.py
+++ b/thursday/candidates/notwa.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import numpy as np
 def make_birect(deepness=23, *, longest=False, pruning=False):
     from ..internal.birect import birect
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
         feval_count = 0
 
         def _objective(x):
@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@ def make_birect(deepness=23, *, longest=False, pruning=False):
 
         xopt, fopt = birect(
             _objective,
-            (0,) * n_dim,
-            (1,) * n_dim,
+            (0,) * size,
+            (1,) * size,
             min_diag=2.0 ** -float(deepness),
-            max_evals=n_trials,
+            max_evals=budget,
             by_longest=longest,
             pruning=pruning,
             F=np.float64,
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def make_soo(deepness=None, *, K=3):
     assert K >= 2
     from ..internal.soo import soo
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
         feval_count = 0
 
         def _objective(x):
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ def make_soo(deepness=None, *, K=3):
             return objective(x)
 
         xopt, history = soo(
-            _objective, np.full(n_dim, 0.5), 0.5, n_trials, K=K, h_max=deepness
+            _objective, np.full(size, 0.5), 0.5, budget, K=K, h_max=deepness
         )
         fopt = history[-1]
         return fopt, xopt, feval_count
@@ -63,11 +63,11 @@ def make_mercury(
 ):
     from ..internal.hg import minimize as hg
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, n_trials, bounding=bounding)
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
+        _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(objective, budget, bounding=bounding)
 
-        init = (0.5,) * n_dim
-        iterations = (n_trials - 1 + popsize * 2) // (popsize * 2 + 1)
+        init = (0.5,) * size
+        iterations = (budget - 1 + popsize * 2) // (popsize * 2 + 1)
         center, history = hg(
             _objective,
             init,
@@ -81,12 +81,12 @@ def make_mercury(
 
         # use our remaining evals on something, anything.
         feval_count = _objective(check)
-        wasted = max(0, -(feval_count - n_trials))
+        wasted = max(0, -(feval_count - budget))
         if wasted:
-            print(f"wasting {wasted} of {n_trials} evaluations")
+            print(f"wasting {wasted} of {budget} evaluations")
         for _ in range(wasted):
             prng = np.random.default_rng()
-            x = prng.uniform(size=n_dim)
+            x = prng.uniform(size=size)
             fx = _objective(x)
 
         return _objective(final)
diff --git a/thursday/candidates/random.py b/thursday/candidates/random.py
index 36464c9..a70ff08 100644
--- a/thursday/candidates/random.py
+++ b/thursday/candidates/random.py
@@ -2,34 +2,34 @@ from ..utilities import phi
 import numpy as np
 
 
-def another_random_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim, seed=None):
+def another_random_cube(objective, size, budget, seed=None):
     prng = np.random.default_rng(seed)
     fopt = None
     xopt = None
-    for i in range(n_trials):
-        x = prng.uniform(size=n_dim)
+    for i in range(budget):
+        x = prng.uniform(size=size)
         fx = objective(x)
         if fopt is None or xopt is None or fx < fopt:
             fopt = fx
             xopt = x
-    return fopt, xopt, n_trials
+    return fopt, xopt, budget
 
 
-def quasirandom_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+def quasirandom_cube(objective, size, budget):
     # http://extremelearning.com.au/unreasonable-effectiveness-of-quasirandom-sequences/
-    magic = phi(n_dim)
-    alpha = np.zeros(n_dim)
-    for i in range(n_dim):
+    magic = phi(size)
+    alpha = np.zeros(size)
+    for i in range(size):
         alpha[i] = pow(1 / magic, i + 1) % 1
-    xs = np.zeros((n_trials, n_dim))
+    xs = np.zeros((size, budget))
     xs[0, :] = 0.5  # first point is always dead center
-    for i in range(1, n_trials):
+    for i in range(1, budget):
         xs[i] = (xs[i - 1] + alpha) % 1
 
     best_so_far = None
-    for i, x in zip(range(n_trials), xs):
+    for i, x in zip(range(budget), xs):
         fx = objective(x)
         if best_so_far is None or fx < best_so_far[0]:
             best_so_far = (fx, x)
     fopt, xopt = best_so_far
-    return fopt, xopt, n_trials
+    return fopt, xopt, budget
diff --git a/thursday/candidates/scipy.py b/thursday/candidates/scipy.py
index 8cfaa55..8bdbd79 100644
--- a/thursday/candidates/scipy.py
+++ b/thursday/candidates/scipy.py
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ def make_scipy(method, *, jacobian=None, hessian=None):
         # "trust-krylov",
     ), method
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
         prng = np.random.default_rng()
         _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(
-            objective, n_trials, raising=True, bounding="sine"
+            objective, budget, raising=True, bounding="sine"
         )
-        x0 = np.full(n_dim, 0.5)
-        bounds = scopt.Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
+        x0 = np.full(size, 0.5)
+        bounds = scopt.Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
         # jac = "cs" if method == "dogleg" else None  # doesn't work
         jac = "2-point" if jacobian is None else jacobian
         hess = "2-point" if hessian is None else hessian
@@ -37,16 +37,16 @@ def make_scipy(method, *, jacobian=None, hessian=None):
         # can be used to approximate the Hessian. Available quasi-Newton methods
         # implementing this interface are: BFGS; SR1.
         tol = None  # 0.0
-        # options = dict(maxfun=n_trials) if method == "TNC" else dict(maxiter=n_trials)
+        # options = dict(maxfun=budget) if method == "TNC" else dict(maxiter=budget)
 
         if method in ("BFGS", "CG", "COBYLA", "SLSQP", "trust-constr"):
-            options = dict(maxiter=n_trials)
+            options = dict(maxiter=budget)
         elif method in ("Nelder-Mead", "Powell"):
-            options = dict(maxfev=n_trials, maxiter=n_trials)
+            options = dict(maxfev=budget, maxiter=budget)
         elif method in ("L-BFGS-B", "TNC"):
-            options = dict(maxfun=n_trials, maxiter=n_trials)
+            options = dict(maxfun=budget, maxiter=budget)
         else:
-            options = dict(maxfun=n_trials, maxfev=n_trials, maxiter=n_trials)
+            options = dict(maxfun=budget, maxfev=budget, maxiter=budget)
 
         # silence some warnings:
         if method in ("Nelder-Mead", "Powell"):
@@ -67,12 +67,12 @@ def make_scipy(method, *, jacobian=None, hessian=None):
         def check_evals():
             evals = _objective(check)
             checks.append(evals)
-            return evals < n_trials
+            return evals < budget
 
         first_try = True
         while check_evals():
             if not first_try:
-                x0 = prng.uniform(size=n_dim)
+                x0 = prng.uniform(size=size)
 
             try:
                 res = scopt.minimize(
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def make_scipy(method, *, jacobian=None, hessian=None):
                 # well, this is pointless.
                 fopt, xopt, feval_count = res.fun, res.x, res.nfev
                 # print("success:", res.success)
-                # if not res.success and res.nfev < n_trials // 2:
+                # if not res.success and res.nfev < budget // 2:
                 shut_up = (
                     method == "SLSQP"
                     and res.message == "Inequality constraints incompatible"
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ def make_scipy(method, *, jacobian=None, hessian=None):
                     res.message
                     == "The maximum number of function evaluations is exceeded."
                 )
-                if not shut_up and not res.success and res.nfev < n_trials // 3:
+                if not shut_up and not res.success and res.nfev < budget // 3:
                     print("", method, res, "", sep="\n")
 
             first_try = False
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ def make_scipy(method, *, jacobian=None, hessian=None):
     return f
 
 
-def scipy_basinhopping_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+def scipy_basinhopping_cube(objective, size, budget):
     progress = 1e-2  # TODO: make configurable?
     # NOTE: could also callbacks to extract solutions instead of wrapping objective functions?
 
@@ -136,14 +136,14 @@ def scipy_basinhopping_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
     def dummy_minimizer(fun, x0, args, **options):
         return scopt.OptimizeResult(x=x0, fun=fun(x0), success=True, nfev=1)
 
-    x0 = np.full(n_dim, 0.5)
+    x0 = np.full(size, 0.5)
     res = scopt.basinhopping(
         objective,
         x0,
         minimizer_kwargs=dict(method=dummy_minimizer),
         accept_test=accept_bounded,
         disp=False,
-        niter=n_trials,
+        niter=budget,
         # TODO: try without any progress vars at all.
         T=progress,
         stepsize=progress / 2,
@@ -153,13 +153,13 @@ def scipy_basinhopping_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
     return fopt, xopt, feval_count
 
 
-def scipy_direct_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    bounds = scopt.Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
+def scipy_direct_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    bounds = scopt.Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
     # TODO: try different values of eps. default 0.0001
     res = scopt.direct(
         objective,
         bounds=bounds,
-        maxfun=n_trials,
+        maxfun=budget,
         maxiter=1_000_000,
         vol_tol=0,
     )
@@ -168,13 +168,13 @@ def scipy_direct_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
     return fopt, xopt, feval_count
 
 
-def scipy_direct_l_cube(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
-    bounds = scopt.Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
+def scipy_direct_l_cube(objective, size, budget):
+    bounds = scopt.Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
     # TODO: try different values of eps. default 0.0001
     res = scopt.direct(
         objective,
         bounds=bounds,
-        maxfun=n_trials,
+        maxfun=budget,
         maxiter=1_000_000,
         vol_tol=0,
         locally_biased=True,
@@ -198,13 +198,13 @@ def make_shgo(method="cobyla", init="large", it=1, mei=False, li=False, ftol=12)
         # https://docs.scipy.org/doc/scipy/reference/optimize.minimize-cobyla.html
         pass
 
-    def f(objective, n_trials, n_dim):
+    def f(objective, size, budget):
         _objective = wrap_untrustworthy(
-            objective, n_trials, bounding="clip", raising=True
+            objective, budget, bounding="clip", raising=True
         )
-        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * n_dim, [1.0] * n_dim)
+        bounds = Bounds([0.0] * size, [1.0] * size)
         npt = dict(
-            large=(n_dim + 1) * (n_dim + 2) // 2, medium=2 * n_dim + 1, small=n_dim + 1
+            large=(size + 1) * (size + 2) // 2, medium=2 * size + 1, small=size + 1
         )[init]
         _method = method if method != "cobyqa" else method  # TODO: handle cobyqa case.
         try:
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ def make_shgo(method="cobyla", init="large", it=1, mei=False, li=False, ftol=12)
                 n=npt,
                 iters=it,
                 minimizer_kwargs=dict(method=_method, ftol=10**-ftol),
-                options=dict(maxfev=n_trials, minimize_every_iter=mei, local_iters=li),
+                options=dict(maxfev=budget, minimize_every_iter=mei, local_iters=li),
                 sampling_method="simplicial",
             )
         except ExhaustedTrialsError:
diff --git a/thursday/go_benchmark_it.py b/thursday/go_benchmark_it.py
index 0adede1..97f7a71 100644
--- a/thursday/go_benchmark_it.py
+++ b/thursday/go_benchmark_it.py
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ def flipit(transformations, flippy):
     transformations[flip_dim] = (mul, add)
 
 
-def make_objective(problem, n_dim, *, fix_stuff=0):
-    obj = problem(n_dim)
+def make_objective(problem, size, *, fix_stuff=0):
+    obj = problem(size)
     name = problem.__name__
     flippy = 0  # when positive, helps removes positive correlations in solutions
     trippy = None  # when not None, moves solution away from center: (dim, dir)
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def make_objective(problem, n_dim, *, fix_stuff=0):
         elif name == "Csendes" or name == "Infinity":
             # this problem is weird... let's avoid division by zero, okay?
             # these problems are duplicates of each other. weird.
-            replacement = n_dim * (2 + np.sin(1))
+            replacement = size * (2 + np.sin(1))
             _fun = obj.fun
             obj.fun = lambda x: replacement if np.any(x == 0.0) else _fun(x)
         elif name == "Keane":
@@ -73,18 +73,18 @@ def make_objective(problem, n_dim, *, fix_stuff=0):
             obj.fun = lambda x: _fun(x + adjust)
 
     if fix_stuff >= 1:
-        stuff = {2: too_positive_2, 3: too_positive_3, 4: too_positive_4}[n_dim]
+        stuff = {2: too_positive_2, 3: too_positive_3, 4: too_positive_4}[size]
         if name.lower() in stuff:
             # too positively correlated, do some evil.
             ind = stuff.index(name.lower())
-            flippy = ind % n_dim + 1  # uniformly select a dimension to "flip"
+            flippy = ind % size + 1  # uniformly select a dimension to "flip"
 
     if fix_stuff >= 2:
-        stuff = {2: too_centered_2, 3: too_centered_3, 4: too_centered_4}[n_dim]
+        stuff = {2: too_centered_2, 3: too_centered_3, 4: too_centered_4}[size]
         if name.lower() in stuff:
             # uniformly select offsets to "trip".
             ind = stuff.index(name.lower())
-            trippy = (ind % n_dim, ind // n_dim % n_dim)  # (dim, dir)
+            trippy = (ind % size, ind // size % size)  # (dim, dir)
 
     transformations = [make_transform(lo, hi) for lo, hi in obj.bounds]
 
@@ -108,15 +108,15 @@ def make_objective(problem, n_dim, *, fix_stuff=0):
     return objective
 
 
-def make_objectives(n_dim, n_trials=None, fix_stuff=0):
-    problems = all_problems[n_dim]
-    return [make_objective(problem, n_dim, fix_stuff=fix_stuff) for problem in problems]
+def make_objectives(size, budget=None, fix_stuff=0):
+    problems = all_problems[size]
+    return [make_objective(problem, size, fix_stuff=fix_stuff) for problem in problems]
 
 
-def find_objective(query, n_dim=None):
+def find_objective(query, size=None):
     results = []
     for p_dim, problems in all_problems.items():
-        if n_dim is not None and p_dim != n_dim:
+        if size is not None and p_dim != size:
             continue
         for problem in problems:
             if problem.__name__.lower() == query.lower():
@@ -311,14 +311,14 @@ def main(argv, display=True):
     percents = dict(frugal_percent=1.0, greedy_percent=2.0)
 
     which = parties[argv[1]] if len(argv) > 1 else parties["standard"]
-    n_dim = int(argv[2]) if len(argv) > 2 else -2
-    n_trials = int(argv[3]) if len(argv) > 3 else fib(abs(n_dim) + 4) * 10
+    size = int(argv[2]) if len(argv) > 2 else -2
+    budget = int(argv[3]) if len(argv) > 3 else fib(abs(size) + 4) * 10
 
     place_names = ("1st", "2nd", "3rd", "4th")
-    assert n_dim < 0, "unsupported in this version"
-    n_dim = abs(n_dim)
+    assert size < 0, "unsupported in this version"
+    size = abs(size)
     place_scores = (5, 3, 2, 1)
-    objectives = GO_BENCHMARKS[n_dim]  # * multiple
+    objectives = GO_BENCHMARKS[size]  # * multiple
 
     optimizers = list(which)  # copy
     before = len(optimizers)
@@ -349,8 +349,8 @@ def main(argv, display=True):
                 wrapped = COWrap(
                     objective,
                     optimizer=optimizer,
-                    n_trials=n_trials,
-                    n_dim=n_dim,
+                    budget=budget,
+                    size=size,
                     **percents,
                 )
             else:
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ def main(argv, display=True):
                 note(
                     f"Using {opt_name} to optimize {obj_realname} ({obj_name}) [{run}] ..."
                 )
-                _ = optimizer(wrapped, n_trials=n_trials, n_dim=n_dim)
+                _ = optimizer(wrapped, size=size, budget=budget)
                 fopt, xopt = wrapped.finish()
                 result = (fopt, opt_name, wrapped.history)
                 results.setdefault(obj_name, []).append(result)
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ def main(argv, display=True):
                 f"\n\033[1m{blah} scoring optimizers:\033[m"
                 f" (awards={place_scores})"
                 f" (obj={len(objectives)}, opt={len(optimizers)})"
-                f" (dims={n_dim}, evals={n_trials})"
+                f" (dims={size}, evals={budget})"
             )
         for opt_name, opt_point in sorted(points.items(), key=lambda t: -t[1]):
             # place = place_names[i] if i < len(place_names) else "   "
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ def main(argv, display=True):
             f"\n\033[1malternatively scored optimizers:\033[m"
             f" (awards={place_scores})"
             f" (obj={len(objectives)}, opt={len(optimizers)})"
-            f" (dims={n_dim}, evals={n_trials})"
+            f" (dims={size}, evals={budget})"
         )
         for opt_name, opt_score in sorted(more_scores.items(), key=lambda t: -t[1]):
             # if opt_score < 1: continue
diff --git a/thursday/utilities/closures.py b/thursday/utilities/closures.py
index 4e226dd..f94623f 100644
--- a/thursday/utilities/closures.py
+++ b/thursday/utilities/closures.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class ExhaustedTrialsError(Exception):
 
 
 def wrap_untrustworthy(
-    objective, n_trials, *, raising=False, bounding=None, softplus=False, eps=0.0
+    objective, budget, *, raising=False, bounding=None, softplus=False, eps=0.0
 ):
     # also handles bounding now, so it may be used for other purposes as well. whoops.
     feval_count = 0
@@ -24,13 +24,13 @@ def wrap_untrustworthy(
             assert best_so_far is not None
             fopt, xopt = best_so_far
             return fopt, xopt, feval_count
-        if raising and feval_count >= n_trials:
+        if raising and feval_count >= budget:
             raise ExhaustedTrialsError()
         if bounding is not None:
             x = do_bounding(x, bounding)
         fx = objective(x)
         feval_count += 1
-        if n_trials is None or feval_count <= n_trials:
+        if budget is None or feval_count <= budget:
             if best_so_far is None or fx < best_so_far[0]:
                 best_so_far = (fx, x.copy())
         return scalar_softplus(fx) + eps if softplus else fx
diff --git a/thursday/utilities/utils.py b/thursday/utilities/utils.py
index 8243667..9e1b156 100644
--- a/thursday/utilities/utils.py
+++ b/thursday/utilities/utils.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def needs_rerun(key, value):
     if not value["history"]:  # not sure what happened here
         return True
 
-    n_dim = len(value["xopt"])
+    size = len(value["xopt"])
     ng = []
 
     kd = decode_key(key)
diff --git a/thursday/utilities/utils_np.py b/thursday/utilities/utils_np.py
index 1c412f2..deb544f 100644
--- a/thursday/utilities/utils_np.py
+++ b/thursday/utilities/utils_np.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def do_bounding(x, method="clip"):
         # FIXME: we need a way to determine the previous (or center) x somehow?
         from bitten_snes import _project_with
 
-        x = _project_with(x, old, np.array([[0.0, 1.0] * n_dim]), clipping=0.5)
+        x = _project_with(x, old, np.array([[0.0, 1.0] * size]), clipping=0.5)
     elif method == "tria":
         hp = np.pi / 2
         x = np.abs(np.arcsin(np.sin(x * hp)) / hp)
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class OWrap:
     def __init__(
         self,
         objective,
-        n_trials,
+        budget,
         frugal_percent=1.0,
         greedy_percent=2.0,
         history_frequency=10,
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class OWrap:
         self.best_so_far = None
         self.warning = None
         self.objective = objective
-        self.n_trials = n_trials
+        self.budget = budget
         self.__name__ = objective.__name__  # for evolopy
         self.frugal_percent = float(frugal_percent)
         self.greedy_percent = float(greedy_percent)
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class OWrap:
         assert np.isfinite(fx), "f(x) is not finite (NaN or Inf or -Inf)"
         self.feval_count += 1
 
-        if self.feval_count <= self.n_trials:
+        if self.feval_count <= self.budget:
             if self.best_so_far is None or fx < self.best_so_far[0]:
                 self.best_so_far = (fx, x)
 
@@ -129,11 +129,11 @@ class OWrap:
             m33(f"{optimizer_name} did not abide to bounds")
         if self.warning == "finite":
             m33(f"{optimizer_name} passed a non-finite value")
-        if self.feval_count >= self.n_trials * self.greedy_percent:
-            m33(f"{optimizer_name} got greedy ({self.feval_count}>{self.n_trials})")
-        # if self.feval_count <= self.n_trials * 0.95:
-        if self.feval_count < self.n_trials * self.frugal_percent:
-            m34(f"{optimizer_name} was frugal ({self.feval_count}<{self.n_trials})")
+        if self.feval_count >= self.budget * self.greedy_percent:
+            m33(f"{optimizer_name} got greedy ({self.feval_count}>{self.budget})")
+        # if self.feval_count <= self.budget * 0.95:
+        if self.feval_count < self.budget * self.frugal_percent:
+            m34(f"{optimizer_name} was frugal ({self.feval_count}<{self.budget})")
         return self.best_so_far
 
     @property
@@ -146,11 +146,11 @@ class OWrap:
 
 
 class COWrap:
-    def __init__(self, objective, *, optimizer, n_trials, n_dim, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, objective, *, optimizer, size, budget, **kwargs):
         self._objective = objective
         self.optimizer = optimizer
-        self.n_trials = n_trials
-        self.n_dim = n_dim
+        self.budget = budget
+        self.size = size
         self.kwargs = kwargs
         self._dirty = False
         self._history = None
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class COWrap:
     @property
     def cache_name(self):
         opt_name = self.optimizer.__name__
-        return f"COWrap_d{self.n_dim:02}_n{self.n_trials:03}_{opt_name}"
+        return f"COWrap_d{self.size:02}_n{self.budget:03}_{opt_name}"
 
     @property
     def history(self):
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ class COWrap:
 
     def reset_objective(self):
         self._dirty = False
-        self.ow = OWrap(self._objective, self.n_trials, **self.kwargs)
+        self.ow = OWrap(self._objective, self.budget, **self.kwargs)
         self._check_cache()
 
     def _check_cache(self):
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ class COWrap:
         # fopt, xopt = self.ow.best_so_far
         fopt, xopt = self.ow.finish(self.optimizer.__name__)
 
-        expected_length = self.n_trials // self.ow.history_frequency
+        expected_length = self.budget // self.ow.history_frequency
         history = [float(fval) for fval in self.ow.history]
         history += [fopt] * (expected_length - len(history))