maint: convert `...' to '...' in --help output

All affected lines end with \ or \n\, so run this command
until it produces no new changes (4 times):
  git grep -E -l '`[^ ]+'\''.*\\' src \
    |xargs perl -pi -e 's/`([^ ]+'\''.*\\)/'\''$1/'

42 files changed, 93 insertions, 93 deletions

diff --git a/src/chgrp.c b/src/chgrp.c
index f4a2bf660..e34b6e35f 100644
--- a/src/chgrp.c
+++ b/src/chgrp.c
@@ -130,8 +130,8 @@ With --reference, change the group of each FILE to that of RFILE.\n\
                          ownership of a symlink)\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-      --no-preserve-root  do not treat `/' specially (the default)\n\
-      --preserve-root    fail to operate recursively on `/'\n\
+      --no-preserve-root  do not treat '/' specially (the default)\n\
+      --preserve-root    fail to operate recursively on '/'\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
       --reference=RFILE  use RFILE's group rather than specifying a\n\
diff --git a/src/chmod.c b/src/chmod.c
index 3fb9a8251..411ccf487 100644
--- a/src/chmod.c
+++ b/src/chmod.c
@@ -385,8 +385,8 @@ With --reference, change the mode of each FILE to that of RFILE.\n\
   -v, --verbose          output a diagnostic for every file processed\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-      --no-preserve-root  do not treat `/' specially (the default)\n\
-      --preserve-root    fail to operate recursively on `/'\n\
+      --no-preserve-root  do not treat '/' specially (the default)\n\
+      --preserve-root    fail to operate recursively on '/'\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
       --reference=RFILE  use RFILE's mode instead of MODE values\n\
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ With --reference, change the mode of each FILE to that of RFILE.\n\
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
-Each MODE is of the form `[ugoa]*([-+=]([rwxXst]*|[ugo]))+'.\n\
+Each MODE is of the form '[ugoa]*([-+=]([rwxXst]*|[ugo]))+'.\n\
 "), stdout);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
     }
diff --git a/src/chown.c b/src/chown.c
index 2f23b33cc..ca37cdd51 100644
--- a/src/chown.c
+++ b/src/chown.c
@@ -108,8 +108,8 @@ With --reference, change the owner and group of each FILE to those of RFILE.\n\
                          is not required for the omitted attribute\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-      --no-preserve-root  do not treat `/' specially (the default)\n\
-      --preserve-root    fail to operate recursively on `/'\n\
+      --no-preserve-root  do not treat '/' specially (the default)\n\
+      --preserve-root    fail to operate recursively on '/'\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
       --reference=RFILE  use RFILE's owner and group rather than\n\
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ one takes effect.\n\
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
 Owner is unchanged if missing.  Group is unchanged if missing, but changed\n\
-to login group if implied by a `:' following a symbolic OWNER.\n\
+to login group if implied by a ':' following a symbolic OWNER.\n\
 OWNER and GROUP may be numeric as well as symbolic.\n\
 "), stdout);
       printf (_("\
diff --git a/src/comm.c b/src/comm.c
index 8fd6cb1b8..1b72a7443 100644
--- a/src/comm.c
+++ b/src/comm.c
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ and column three contains lines common to both files.\n\
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
-Note, comparisons honor the rules specified by `LC_COLLATE'.\n\
+Note, comparisons honor the rules specified by 'LC_COLLATE'.\n\
 "), stdout);
       printf (_("\
 \n\
diff --git a/src/cp.c b/src/cp.c
index 10ffc9c1f..ad8c656df 100644
--- a/src/cp.c
+++ b/src/cp.c
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ fails, or if --reflink=auto is specified, fall back to a standard copy.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
-The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.\n\
+The backup suffix is '~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.\n\
 The version control method may be selected via the --backup option or through\n\
 the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable.  Here are the values:\n\
 \n\
diff --git a/src/csplit.c b/src/csplit.c
index 6488b8412..fbd10bb0e 100644
--- a/src/csplit.c
+++ b/src/csplit.c
@@ -1451,7 +1451,7 @@ Usage: %s [OPTION]... FILE PATTERN...\n\
 "),
               program_name);
       fputs (_("\
-Output pieces of FILE separated by PATTERN(s) to files `xx00', `xx01', ...,\n\
+Output pieces of FILE separated by PATTERN(s) to files 'xx00', 'xx01', ...,\n\
 and output byte counts of each piece to standard output.\n\
 \n\
 "), stdout);
@@ -1460,7 +1460,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   -b, --suffix-format=FORMAT  use sprintf FORMAT instead of %02d\n\
-  -f, --prefix=PREFIX        use PREFIX instead of `xx'\n\
+  -f, --prefix=PREFIX        use PREFIX instead of 'xx'\n\
   -k, --keep-files           do not remove output files on errors\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
@@ -1482,7 +1482,7 @@ Read standard input if FILE is -.  Each PATTERN may be:\n\
   {INTEGER}          repeat the previous pattern specified number of times\n\
   {*}                repeat the previous pattern as many times as possible\n\
 \n\
-A line OFFSET is a required `+' or `-' followed by a positive integer.\n\
+A line OFFSET is a required '+' or '-' followed by a positive integer.\n\
 "), stdout);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
     }
diff --git a/src/date.c b/src/date.c
index 5fe80853b..942199d6a 100644
--- a/src/date.c
+++ b/src/date.c
@@ -128,11 +128,11 @@ Usage: %s [OPTION]... [+FORMAT]\n\
       fputs (_("\
 Display the current time in the given FORMAT, or set the system date.\n\
 \n\
-  -d, --date=STRING         display time described by STRING, not `now'\n\
+  -d, --date=STRING         display time described by STRING, not 'now'\n\
   -f, --file=DATEFILE       like --date once for each line of DATEFILE\n\
   -I[TIMESPEC], --iso-8601[=TIMESPEC]  output date/time in ISO 8601 format.\n\
-                            TIMESPEC=`date' for date only (the default),\n\
-                            `hours', `minutes', `seconds', or `ns' for date\n\
+                            TIMESPEC='date' for date only (the default),\n\
+                            'hours', 'minutes', 'seconds', or 'ns' for date\n\
                             and time to the indicated precision.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ Display the current time in the given FORMAT, or set the system date.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
       --rfc-3339=TIMESPEC   output date and time in RFC 3339 format.\n\
-                            TIMESPEC=`date', `seconds', or `ns' for\n\
+                            TIMESPEC='date', 'seconds', or 'ns' for\n\
                             date and time to the indicated precision.\n\
                             Date and time components are separated by\n\
                             a single space: 2006-08-07 12:34:56-06:00\n\
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ FORMAT controls the output.  Interpreted sequences are:\n\
 By default, date pads numeric fields with zeroes.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-The following optional flags may follow `%':\n\
+The following optional flags may follow '%':\n\
 \n\
   -  (hyphen) do not pad the field\n\
   _  (underscore) pad with spaces\n\
diff --git a/src/dd.c b/src/dd.c
index 261aee614..5e55acd20 100644
--- a/src/dd.c
+++ b/src/dd.c
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ Each FLAG symbol may be:\n\
         char const *siginfo_name = (SIGINFO == SIGUSR1 ? "USR1" : "INFO");
         printf (_("\
 \n\
-Sending a %s signal to a running `dd' process makes it\n\
+Sending a %s signal to a running 'dd' process makes it\n\
 print I/O statistics to standard error and then resume copying.\n\
 \n\
   $ dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/null& pid=$!\n\
diff --git a/src/df.c b/src/df.c
index e3d55c443..881b45fcf 100644
--- a/src/df.c
+++ b/src/df.c
@@ -855,7 +855,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (_("\
   -a, --all             include dummy file systems\n\
   -B, --block-size=SIZE  scale sizes by SIZE before printing them.  E.g.,\n\
-                           `-BM' prints sizes in units of 1,048,576 bytes.\n\
+                           '-BM' prints sizes in units of 1,048,576 bytes.\n\
                            See SIZE format below.\n\
       --total           produce a grand total\n\
   -h, --human-readable  print sizes in human readable format (e.g., 1K 234M 2G)\
diff --git a/src/dircolors.c b/src/dircolors.c
index 617e6d982..0123229f1 100644
--- a/src/dircolors.c
+++ b/src/dircolors.c
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ Determine format of output:\n\
 \n\
 If FILE is specified, read it to determine which colors to use for which\n\
 file types and extensions.  Otherwise, a precompiled database is used.\n\
-For details on the format of these files, run `dircolors --print-database'.\n\
+For details on the format of these files, run 'dircolors --print-database'.\n\
 "), stdout);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
     }
diff --git a/src/dirname.c b/src/dirname.c
index 07ac9d854..b2afc52d6 100644
--- a/src/dirname.c
+++ b/src/dirname.c
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Usage: %s NAME\n\
               program_name, program_name);
       fputs (_("\
 Output NAME with its last non-slash component and trailing slashes removed;\n\
-if NAME contains no /'s, output `.' (meaning the current directory).\n\
+if NAME contains no /'s, output '.' (meaning the current directory).\n\
 \n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (HELP_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
diff --git a/src/du.c b/src/du.c
index 689e9bc33..3920f38d4 100644
--- a/src/du.c
+++ b/src/du.c
@@ -272,14 +272,14 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       --apparent-size   print apparent sizes, rather than disk usage; although\
 \n\
                           the apparent size is usually smaller, it may be\n\
-                          larger due to holes in (`sparse') files, internal\n\
+                          larger due to holes in ('sparse') files, internal\n\
                           fragmentation, indirect blocks, and the like\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   -B, --block-size=SIZE  scale sizes by SIZE before printing them.  E.g.,\n\
-                           `-BM' prints sizes in units of 1,048,576 bytes.\n\
+                           '-BM' prints sizes in units of 1,048,576 bytes.\n\
                            See SIZE format below.\n\
-  -b, --bytes           equivalent to `--apparent-size --block-size=1'\n\
+  -b, --bytes           equivalent to '--apparent-size --block-size=1'\n\
   -c, --total           produce a grand total\n\
   -D, --dereference-args  dereference only symlinks that are listed on the\n\
                           command line\n\
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
                           atime, access, use, ctime or status\n\
       --time-style=STYLE  show times using style STYLE:\n\
                           full-iso, long-iso, iso, +FORMAT\n\
-                          FORMAT is interpreted like `date'\n\
+                          FORMAT is interpreted like 'date'\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (HELP_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
diff --git a/src/expr.c b/src/expr.c
index f17d7360d..3ed018d44 100644
--- a/src/expr.c
+++ b/src/expr.c
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ separates increasing precedence groups.  EXPRESSION may be:\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   + TOKEN                    interpret TOKEN as a string, even if it is a\n\
-                               keyword like `match' or an operator like `/'\n\
+                               keyword like 'match' or an operator like '/'\n\
 \n\
   ( EXPRESSION )             value of EXPRESSION\n\
 "), stdout);
diff --git a/src/extract-magic b/src/extract-magic
index 5da7fe820..0a30b0734 100644
--- a/src/extract-magic
+++ b/src/extract-magic
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ sub usage ($)
   my $STREAM = ($exit_code == 0 ? *STDOUT : *STDERR);
   if ($exit_code != 0)
     {
-      print $STREAM "Try `$ME --help' for more information.\n";
+      print $STREAM "Try '$ME --help' for more information.\n";
     }
   else
     {
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ EOF
   my $file = $ARGV[0];
 
   open FH, $file
-    or die "$ME: can't open `$file' for reading: $!\n";
+    or die "$ME: can't open '$file' for reading: $!\n";
 
   # For each line like this:
   #   case S_MAGIC_ROMFS: /* 0x7275 */
diff --git a/src/head.c b/src/head.c
index 2ef3e9281..f4118e712 100644
--- a/src/head.c
+++ b/src/head.c
@@ -117,10 +117,10 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   -c, --bytes=[-]K         print the first K bytes of each file;\n\
-                             with the leading `-', print all but the last\n\
+                             with the leading '-', print all but the last\n\
                              K bytes of each file\n\
   -n, --lines=[-]K         print the first K lines instead of the first 10;\n\
-                             with the leading `-', print all but the last\n\
+                             with the leading '-', print all but the last\n\
                              K lines of each file\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
diff --git a/src/install.c b/src/install.c
index 45d5e0aae..830d36403 100644
--- a/src/install.c
+++ b/src/install.c
@@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
-The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.\n\
+The backup suffix is '~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.\n\
 The version control method may be selected via the --backup option or through\n\
 the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable.  Here are the values:\n\
 \n\
diff --git a/src/join.c b/src/join.c
index 171206262..dbaf1085f 100644
--- a/src/join.c
+++ b/src/join.c
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ by whitespace.  When FILE1 or FILE2 (not both) is -, read standard input.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   -i, --ignore-case  ignore differences in case when comparing fields\n\
-  -j FIELD          equivalent to `-1 FIELD -2 FIELD'\n\
+  -j FIELD          equivalent to '-1 FIELD -2 FIELD'\n\
   -o FORMAT         obey FORMAT while constructing output line\n\
   -t CHAR           use CHAR as input and output field separator\n\
 "), stdout);
@@ -220,15 +220,15 @@ by whitespace.  When FILE1 or FILE2 (not both) is -, read standard input.\n\
 Unless -t CHAR is given, leading blanks separate fields and are ignored,\n\
 else fields are separated by CHAR.  Any FIELD is a field number counted\n\
 from 1.  FORMAT is one or more comma or blank separated specifications,\n\
-each being `FILENUM.FIELD' or `0'.  Default FORMAT outputs the join field,\n\
+each being 'FILENUM.FIELD' or '0'.  Default FORMAT outputs the join field,\n\
 the remaining fields from FILE1, the remaining fields from FILE2, all\n\
 separated by CHAR.  If FORMAT is the keyword 'auto', then the first\n\
 line of each file determines the number of fields output for each line.\n\
 \n\
 Important: FILE1 and FILE2 must be sorted on the join fields.\n\
-E.g., use \"sort -k 1b,1\" if `join' has no options,\n\
-or use \"join -t ''\" if `sort' has no options.\n\
-Note, comparisons honor the rules specified by `LC_COLLATE'.\n\
+E.g., use \"sort -k 1b,1\" if 'join' has no options,\n\
+or use \"join -t ''\" if 'sort' has no options.\n\
+Note, comparisons honor the rules specified by 'LC_COLLATE'.\n\
 If the input is not sorted and some lines cannot be joined, a\n\
 warning message will be given.\n\
 "), stdout);
diff --git a/src/kill.c b/src/kill.c
index bdb1c5e70..ed920c31a 100644
--- a/src/kill.c
+++ b/src/kill.c
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (HELP_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (_("\n\
-SIGNAL may be a signal name like `HUP', or a signal number like `1',\n\
+SIGNAL may be a signal name like 'HUP', or a signal number like '1',\n\
 or the exit status of a process terminated by a signal.\n\
 PID is an integer; if negative it identifies a process group.\n\
 "), stdout);
diff --git a/src/ln.c b/src/ln.c
index 0c1cd8562..6eeddde0d 100644
--- a/src/ln.c
+++ b/src/ln.c
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
-The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.\n\
+The backup suffix is '~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.\n\
 The version control method may be selected via the --backup option or through\n\
 the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable.  Here are the values:\n\
 \n\
diff --git a/src/ls.c b/src/ls.c
index 362c58dd0..9bda3bc52 100644
--- a/src/ls.c
+++ b/src/ls.c
@@ -4662,7 +4662,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
       --block-size=SIZE      scale sizes by SIZE before printing them.  E.g.,\n\
-                               `--block-size=M' prints sizes in units of\n\
+                               '--block-size=M' prints sizes in units of\n\
                                1,048,576 bytes.  See SIZE format below.\n\
   -B, --ignore-backups       do not list implied entries ending with ~\n\
   -c                         with -lt: sort by, and show, ctime (time of last\n\
@@ -4672,8 +4672,8 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   -C                         list entries by columns\n\
-      --color[=WHEN]         colorize the output.  WHEN defaults to `always'\n\
-                               or can be `never' or `auto'.  More info below\n\
+      --color[=WHEN]         colorize the output.  WHEN defaults to 'always'\n\
+                               or can be 'never' or 'auto'.  More info below\n\
   -d, --directory            list directory entries instead of contents,\n\
                                and do not dereference symbolic links\n\
   -D, --dired                generate output designed for Emacs' dired mode\n\
@@ -4681,7 +4681,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (_("\
   -f                         do not sort, enable -aU, disable -ls --color\n\
   -F, --classify             append indicator (one of */=>@|) to entries\n\
-      --file-type            likewise, except do not append `*'\n\
+      --file-type            likewise, except do not append '*'\n\
       --format=WORD          across -x, commas -m, horizontal -x, long -l,\n\
                                single-column -1, verbose -l, vertical -C\n\
       --full-time            like -l --time-style=full-iso\n\
@@ -4740,7 +4740,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (_("\
   -q, --hide-control-chars   print ? instead of non graphic characters\n\
       --show-control-chars   show non graphic characters as-is (default\n\
-                             unless program is `ls' and output is a terminal)\n\
+                             unless program is 'ls' and output is a terminal)\n\
   -Q, --quote-name           enclose entry names in double quotes\n\
       --quoting-style=WORD   use quoting style WORD for entry names:\n\
                                literal, locale, shell, shell-always, c, escape\
@@ -4764,10 +4764,10 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (_("\
       --time-style=STYLE     with -l, show times using style STYLE:\n\
                              full-iso, long-iso, iso, locale, +FORMAT.\n\
-                             FORMAT is interpreted like `date'; if FORMAT is\n\
+                             FORMAT is interpreted like 'date'; if FORMAT is\n\
                              FORMAT1<newline>FORMAT2, FORMAT1 applies to\n\
                              non-recent files and FORMAT2 to recent files;\n\
-                             if STYLE is prefixed with `posix-', STYLE\n\
+                             if STYLE is prefixed with 'posix-', STYLE\n\
                              takes effect only outside the POSIX locale\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
diff --git a/src/md5sum.c b/src/md5sum.c
index 7024866a1..6f9c2c58d 100644
--- a/src/md5sum.c
+++ b/src/md5sum.c
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ The following three options are useful only when verifying checksums:\n\
 \n\
 The sums are computed as described in %s.  When checking, the input\n\
 should be a former output of this program.  The default mode is to print\n\
-a line with checksum, a character indicating input mode (`*' for binary,\n\
+a line with checksum, a character indicating input mode ('*' for binary,\n\
 space for text), and name for each FILE.\n"),
               DIGEST_REFERENCE);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
diff --git a/src/mktemp.c b/src/mktemp.c
index 9ae6538e2..aa92b6811 100644
--- a/src/mktemp.c
+++ b/src/mktemp.c
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ usage (int status)
       printf (_("Usage: %s [OPTION]... [TEMPLATE]\n"), program_name);
       fputs (_("\
 Create a temporary file or directory, safely, and print its name.\n\
-TEMPLATE must contain at least 3 consecutive `X's in last component.\n\
+TEMPLATE must contain at least 3 consecutive 'X's in last component.\n\
 If TEMPLATE is not specified, use tmp.XXXXXXXXXX, and --tmpdir is implied.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
diff --git a/src/mv.c b/src/mv.c
index ef398833f..b7c29d9c4 100644
--- a/src/mv.c
+++ b/src/mv.c
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ If you specify more than one of -i, -f, -n, only the final one takes effect.\n\
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
-The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.\n\
+The backup suffix is '~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.\n\
 The version control method may be selected via the --backup option or through\n\
 the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable.  Here are the values:\n\
 \n\
diff --git a/src/nohup.c b/src/nohup.c
index e19d2940e..d395ca5bc 100644
--- a/src/nohup.c
+++ b/src/nohup.c
@@ -64,10 +64,10 @@ Run COMMAND, ignoring hangup signals.\n\
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       printf (_("\n\
 If standard input is a terminal, redirect it from /dev/null.\n\
-If standard output is a terminal, append output to `nohup.out' if possible,\n\
-`$HOME/nohup.out' otherwise.\n\
+If standard output is a terminal, append output to 'nohup.out' if possible,\n\
+'$HOME/nohup.out' otherwise.\n\
 If standard error is a terminal, redirect it to standard output.\n\
-To save output to FILE, use `%s COMMAND > FILE'.\n"),
+To save output to FILE, use '%s COMMAND > FILE'.\n"),
               program_name);
       printf (USAGE_BUILTIN_WARNING, PROGRAM_NAME);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
diff --git a/src/pinky.c b/src/pinky.c
index 6f0874dc1..1bbe86408 100644
--- a/src/pinky.c
+++ b/src/pinky.c
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ usage (int status)
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       printf (_("\
 \n\
-A lightweight `finger' program;  print user information.\n\
+A lightweight 'finger' program;  print user information.\n\
 The utmp file will be %s.\n\
 "), UTMP_FILE);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
diff --git a/src/printf.c b/src/printf.c
index 91091fd63..538d8fc47 100644
--- a/src/printf.c
+++ b/src/printf.c
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ FORMAT controls the output as in C printf.  Interpreted sequences are:\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   %%      a single %\n\
-  %b      ARGUMENT as a string with `\\' escapes interpreted,\n\
+  %b      ARGUMENT as a string with '\\' escapes interpreted,\n\
           except that octal escapes are of the form \\0 or \\0NNN\n\
 \n\
 and all C format specifications ending with one of diouxXfeEgGcs, with\n\
diff --git a/src/ptx.c b/src/ptx.c
index 668a31d05..3e64fa131 100644
--- a/src/ptx.c
+++ b/src/ptx.c
@@ -1089,7 +1089,7 @@ print_field (BLOCK field)
                   break;
 
                 case 3:		/* Grave accent */
-                  printf ("\\`%s%c", (base == 'i' ? "\\" : ""), base);
+                  printf ("\\'%s%c", (base == 'i' ? "\\" : ""), base);
                   break;
 
                 case 4:		/* Circumflex accent */
@@ -1827,11 +1827,11 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   -A, --auto-reference           output automatically generated references\n\
-  -G, --traditional              behave more like System V `ptx'\n\
+  -G, --traditional              behave more like System V 'ptx'\n\
   -F, --flag-truncation=STRING   use STRING for flagging line truncations\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-  -M, --macro-name=STRING        macro name to use instead of `xx'\n\
+  -M, --macro-name=STRING        macro name to use instead of 'xx'\n\
   -O, --format=roff              generate output as roff directives\n\
   -R, --right-side-refs          put references at right, not counted in -w\n\
   -S, --sentence-regexp=REGEXP   for end of lines or end of sentences\n\
@@ -1854,7 +1854,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
-With no FILE or if FILE is -, read Standard Input.  `-F /' by default.\n\
+With no FILE or if FILE is -, read Standard Input.  '-F /' by default.\n\
 "), stdout);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
     }
diff --git a/src/realpath.c b/src/realpath.c
index 130a66505..d055a3068 100644
--- a/src/realpath.c
+++ b/src/realpath.c
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ all but the last component must exist\n\
       fputs (_("\
   -e, --canonicalize-existing  all components of the path must exist\n\
   -m, --canonicalize-missing   no components of the path need exist\n\
-  -L, --logical                resolve `..' components before symlinks\n\
+  -L, --logical                resolve '..' components before symlinks\n\
   -P, --physical               resolve symlinks as encountered (default)\n\
   -q, --quiet                  suppress most error messages\n\
       --relative-to=FILE       print the resolved path relative to FILE\n\
diff --git a/src/rm.c b/src/rm.c
index e9d5a598f..a9628867c 100644
--- a/src/rm.c
+++ b/src/rm.c
@@ -151,8 +151,8 @@ Remove (unlink) the FILE(s).\n\
                           that of the corresponding command line argument\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-      --no-preserve-root  do not treat `/' specially\n\
-      --preserve-root   do not remove `/' (default)\n\
+      --no-preserve-root  do not treat '/' specially\n\
+      --preserve-root   do not remove '/' (default)\n\
   -r, -R, --recursive   remove directories and their contents recursively\n\
   -v, --verbose         explain what is being done\n\
 "), stdout);
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ option to remove each listed directory, too, along with all of its contents.\n\
 "), stdout);
       printf (_("\
 \n\
-To remove a file whose name starts with a `-', for example `-foo',\n\
+To remove a file whose name starts with a '-', for example '-foo',\n\
 use one of these commands:\n\
   %s -- -foo\n\
 \n\
diff --git a/src/rmdir.c b/src/rmdir.c
index f966ba2ae..f91a81552 100644
--- a/src/rmdir.c
+++ b/src/rmdir.c
@@ -170,9 +170,9 @@ Remove the DIRECTORY(ies), if they are empty.\n\
                     is non-empty\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-  -p, --parents   remove DIRECTORY and its ancestors; e.g., `rmdir -p a/b/c' is\
+  -p, --parents   remove DIRECTORY and its ancestors; e.g., 'rmdir -p a/b/c' is\
 \n\
-                    similar to `rmdir a/b/c a/b a'\n\
+                    similar to 'rmdir a/b/c a/b a'\n\
   -v, --verbose   output a diagnostic for every directory processed\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (HELP_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
diff --git a/src/seq.c b/src/seq.c
index 32766145c..d60ca803f 100644
--- a/src/seq.c
+++ b/src/seq.c
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ INCREMENT is usually positive if FIRST is smaller than LAST, and\n\
 INCREMENT is usually negative if FIRST is greater than LAST.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-FORMAT must be suitable for printing one argument of type `double';\n\
+FORMAT must be suitable for printing one argument of type 'double';\n\
 it defaults to %.PRECf if FIRST, INCREMENT, and LAST are all fixed point\n\
 decimal numbers with maximum precision PREC, and to %g otherwise.\n\
 "), stdout);
diff --git a/src/sleep.c b/src/sleep.c
index bae6fd5b8..c80bd43e9 100644
--- a/src/sleep.c
+++ b/src/sleep.c
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ usage (int status)
       printf (_("\
 Usage: %s NUMBER[SUFFIX]...\n\
   or:  %s OPTION\n\
-Pause for NUMBER seconds.  SUFFIX may be `s' for seconds (the default),\n\
-`m' for minutes, `h' for hours or `d' for days.  Unlike most implementations\n\
+Pause for NUMBER seconds.  SUFFIX may be 's' for seconds (the default),\n\
+'m' for minutes, 'h' for hours or 'd' for days.  Unlike most implementations\n\
 that require NUMBER be an integer, here NUMBER may be an arbitrary floating\n\
 point number.  Given two or more arguments, pause for the amount of time\n\
 specified by the sum of their values.\n\
diff --git a/src/sort.c b/src/sort.c
index 33f4ffe1c..54cb5ec95 100644
--- a/src/sort.c
+++ b/src/sort.c
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ Ordering options:\n\
       fputs (_("\
   -g, --general-numeric-sort  compare according to general numerical value\n\
   -i, --ignore-nonprinting    consider only printable characters\n\
-  -M, --month-sort            compare (unknown) < `JAN' < ... < `DEC'\n\
+  -M, --month-sort            compare (unknown) < 'JAN' < ... < 'DEC'\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
   -h, --human-numeric-sort    compare human readable numbers (e.g., 2K 1G)\n\
diff --git a/src/split.c b/src/split.c
index d0abd65fb..8a5736363 100644
--- a/src/split.c
+++ b/src/split.c
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ Usage: %s [OPTION]... [INPUT [PREFIX]]\n\
               program_name);
       fputs (_("\
 Output fixed-size pieces of INPUT to PREFIXaa, PREFIXab, ...; default\n\
-size is 1000 lines, and default PREFIX is `x'.  With no INPUT, or when INPUT\n\
+size is 1000 lines, and default PREFIX is 'x'.  With no INPUT, or when INPUT\n\
 is -, read standard input.\n\
 \n\
 "), stdout);
@@ -196,11 +196,11 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
   -b, --bytes=SIZE        put SIZE bytes per output file\n\
   -C, --line-bytes=SIZE   put at most SIZE bytes of lines per output file\n\
   -d, --numeric-suffixes  use numeric suffixes instead of alphabetic\n\
-  -e, --elide-empty-files  do not generate empty output files with `-n'\n\
+  -e, --elide-empty-files  do not generate empty output files with '-n'\n\
       --filter=COMMAND    write to shell COMMAND; file name is $FILE\n\
   -l, --lines=NUMBER      put NUMBER lines per output file\n\
   -n, --number=CHUNKS     generate CHUNKS output files.  See below\n\
-  -u, --unbuffered        immediately copy input to output with `-n r/...'\n\
+  -u, --unbuffered        immediately copy input to output with '-n r/...'\n\
 "), DEFAULT_SUFFIX_LENGTH);
       fputs (_("\
       --verbose           print a diagnostic just before each\n\
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ N       split into N files based on size of input\n\
 K/N     output Kth of N to stdout\n\
 l/N     split into N files without splitting lines\n\
 l/K/N   output Kth of N to stdout without splitting lines\n\
-r/N     like `l' but use round robin distribution\n\
+r/N     like 'l' but use round robin distribution\n\
 r/K/N   likewise but only output Kth of N to stdout\n\
 "), stdout);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
diff --git a/src/stdbuf.c b/src/stdbuf.c
index a4ec52e06..bffe61bac 100644
--- a/src/stdbuf.c
+++ b/src/stdbuf.c
@@ -103,10 +103,10 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       fputs (HELP_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
       fputs (_("\n\
-If MODE is `L' the corresponding stream will be line buffered.\n\
+If MODE is 'L' the corresponding stream will be line buffered.\n\
 This option is invalid with standard input.\n"), stdout);
       fputs (_("\n\
-If MODE is `0' the corresponding stream will be unbuffered.\n\
+If MODE is '0' the corresponding stream will be unbuffered.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\n\
 Otherwise MODE is a number which may be followed by one of the following:\n\
@@ -115,10 +115,10 @@ In this case the corresponding stream will be fully buffered with the buffer\n\
 size set to MODE bytes.\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\n\
-NOTE: If COMMAND adjusts the buffering of its standard streams (`tee' does\n\
-for e.g.) then that will override corresponding settings changed by `stdbuf'.\n\
-Also some filters (like `dd' and `cat' etc.) don't use streams for I/O,\n\
-and are thus unaffected by `stdbuf' settings.\n\
+NOTE: If COMMAND adjusts the buffering of its standard streams ('tee' does\n\
+for e.g.) then that will override corresponding settings changed by 'stdbuf'.\n\
+Also some filters (like 'dd' and 'cat' etc.) don't use streams for I/O,\n\
+and are thus unaffected by 'stdbuf' settings.\n\
 "), stdout);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
     }
diff --git a/src/stty.c b/src/stty.c
index fa48dbbef..5b9e741de 100644
--- a/src/stty.c
+++ b/src/stty.c
@@ -579,11 +579,11 @@ Control settings:\n\
    csN           set character size to N bits, N in [5..8]\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
-   [-]cstopb     use two stop bits per character (one with `-')\n\
+   [-]cstopb     use two stop bits per character (one with '-')\n\
    [-]hup        send a hangup signal when the last process closes the tty\n\
    [-]hupcl      same as [-]hup\n\
    [-]parenb     generate parity bit in output and expect parity bit in input\n\
-   [-]parodd     set odd parity (even with `-')\n\
+   [-]parodd     set odd parity (even with '-')\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
@@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ Local settings:\n\
  * -crtkill      kill all line by obeying the echoctl and echok settings\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
- * [-]ctlecho    echo control characters in hat notation (`^c')\n\
+ * [-]ctlecho    echo control characters in hat notation ('^c')\n\
    [-]echo       echo input characters\n\
  * [-]echoctl    same as [-]ctlecho\n\
    [-]echoe      same as [-]crterase\n\
@@ -652,7 +652,7 @@ Local settings:\n\
       fputs (_("\
  * [-]echoke     same as [-]crtkill\n\
    [-]echonl     echo newline even if not echoing other characters\n\
- * [-]echoprt    echo erased characters backward, between `\\' and '/'\n\
+ * [-]echoprt    echo erased characters backward, between '\\' and '/'\n\
    [-]icanon     enable erase, kill, werase, and rprnt special characters\n\
    [-]iexten     enable non-POSIX special characters\n\
 "), stdout);
@@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ Local settings:\n\
    [-]noflsh     disable flushing after interrupt and quit special characters\n\
  * [-]prterase   same as [-]echoprt\n\
  * [-]tostop     stop background jobs that try to write to the terminal\n\
- * [-]xcase      with icanon, escape with `\\' for uppercase characters\n\
+ * [-]xcase      with icanon, escape with '\\' for uppercase characters\n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (_("\
 \n\
diff --git a/src/tail.c b/src/tail.c
index 123cfba26..857f7cc98 100644
--- a/src/tail.c
+++ b/src/tail.c
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
      fputs (VERSION_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
      fputs (_("\
 \n\
-If the first character of K (the number of bytes or lines) is a `+',\n\
+If the first character of K (the number of bytes or lines) is a '+',\n\
 print beginning with the Kth item from the start of each file, otherwise,\n\
 print the last K items in the file.  K may have a multiplier suffix:\n\
 b 512, kB 1000, K 1024, MB 1000*1000, M 1024*1024,\n\
diff --git a/src/timeout.c b/src/timeout.c
index ca8f0eb08..fb388d138 100644
--- a/src/timeout.c
+++ b/src/timeout.c
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
                  this long after the initial signal was sent.\n\
   -s, --signal=SIGNAL\n\
                  specify the signal to be sent on timeout.\n\
-                 SIGNAL may be a name like `HUP' or a number.\n\
+                 SIGNAL may be a name like 'HUP' or a number.\n\
                  See `kill -l` for a list of signals\n"), stdout);
 
       fputs (HELP_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);
@@ -228,8 +228,8 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
 
       fputs (_("\n\
 DURATION is a floating point number with an optional suffix:\n\
-`s' for seconds (the default), `m' for minutes, `h' for hours \
-or `d' for days.\n"), stdout);
+'s' for seconds (the default), 'm' for minutes, 'h' for hours \
+or 'd' for days.\n"), stdout);
 
       fputs (_("\n\
 If the command times out, then exit with status 124.  Otherwise, exit\n\
diff --git a/src/truncate.c b/src/truncate.c
index 5bc541c97..b8f32c74f 100644
--- a/src/truncate.c
+++ b/src/truncate.c
@@ -121,8 +121,8 @@ Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.\n\
       emit_size_note ();
       fputs (_("\n\
 SIZE may also be prefixed by one of the following modifying characters:\n\
-`+' extend by, `-' reduce by, `<' at most, `>' at least,\n\
-`/' round down to multiple of, `%' round up to multiple of.\n"), stdout);
+'+' extend by, '-' reduce by, '<' at most, '>' at least,\n\
+'/' round down to multiple of, '%' round up to multiple of.\n"), stdout);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
     }
   exit (status);
diff --git a/src/uniq.c b/src/uniq.c
index e4a2d157a..9eb1bf863 100644
--- a/src/uniq.c
+++ b/src/uniq.c
@@ -172,8 +172,8 @@ characters.  Fields are skipped before chars.\n\
      fputs (_("\
 \n\
 Note: 'uniq' does not detect repeated lines unless they are adjacent.\n\
-You may want to sort the input first, or use `sort -u' without `uniq'.\n\
-Also, comparisons honor the rules specified by `LC_COLLATE'.\n\
+You may want to sort the input first, or use 'sort -u' without 'uniq'.\n\
+Also, comparisons honor the rules specified by 'LC_COLLATE'.\n\
 "), stdout);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
     }
diff --git a/src/who.c b/src/who.c
index 00d463747..6514cce80 100644
--- a/src/who.c
+++ b/src/who.c
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ Print information about users who are currently logged in.\n\
       printf (_("\
 \n\
 If FILE is not specified, use %s.  %s as FILE is common.\n\
-If ARG1 ARG2 given, -m presumed: `am i' or `mom likes' are usual.\n\
+If ARG1 ARG2 given, -m presumed: 'am i' or 'mom likes' are usual.\n\
 "), UTMP_FILE, WTMP_FILE);
       emit_ancillary_info ();
     }
diff --git a/src/yes.c b/src/yes.c
index 535c13fe0..1084f442f 100644
--- a/src/yes.c
+++ b/src/yes.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Usage: %s [STRING]...\n\
               program_name, program_name);
 
       fputs (_("\
-Repeatedly output a line with all specified STRING(s), or `y'.\n\
+Repeatedly output a line with all specified STRING(s), or 'y'.\n\
 \n\
 "), stdout);
       fputs (HELP_OPTION_DESCRIPTION, stdout);