5 files changed, 16 insertions, 15 deletions
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/grep.el b/lisp/progmodes/grep.el
index 4f90a534440..423de7d5818 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/grep.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/grep.el
@@ -1218,7 +1218,7 @@ to specify a command to run.
 If CONFIRM is non-nil, the user will be given an opportunity to edit the
 command before it's run.
 
-Interactively, the user can use the `M-c' command while entering
+Interactively, the user can use the \\`M-c' command while entering
 the regexp to indicate whether the grep should be case sensitive
 or not."
   (interactive
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/gud.el b/lisp/progmodes/gud.el
index 26fecf9c9f1..d277eef284b 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/gud.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/gud.el
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ Used to gray out relevant toolbar icons.")
                                     (">" . gud-down)))
       (define-key map key cmd))
     map)
-  "Keymap to repeat `gud-gdb' stepping instructions `C-x C-a C-n n n'.
+  "Keymap to repeat `gud-gdb' stepping instructions \\`C-x C-a C-n n n'.
 Used in `repeat-mode'.")
 
 (defun gud-set-repeat-map-property (keymap-symbol)
@@ -1054,7 +1054,7 @@ SKIP is the number of chars to skip on each line, it defaults to 0."
                                     ("l" . gud-refresh)))
       (define-key map key cmd))
     map)
-  "Keymap to repeat `sdb' stepping instructions `C-x C-a C-n n n'.
+  "Keymap to repeat `sdb' stepping instructions \\`C-x C-a C-n n n'.
 Used in `repeat-mode'.")
 
 (defun gud-sdb-marker-filter (string)
@@ -1301,7 +1301,7 @@ whereby $stopformat=1 produces an output format compatible with
               gud-irix-p)
       (define-key map "f" 'gud-finish))
     map)
-  "Keymap to repeat `dbx' stepping instructions `C-x C-a C-n n n'.
+  "Keymap to repeat `dbx' stepping instructions \\`C-x C-a C-n n n'.
 Used in `repeat-mode'.")
 
 ;; The process filter is also somewhat
@@ -1476,7 +1476,7 @@ and source-file directory for your debugger."
                                     (">" . gud-down)))
       (define-key map key cmd))
     map)
-  "Keymap to repeat `xdb' stepping instructions `C-x C-a C-n n n'.
+  "Keymap to repeat `xdb' stepping instructions \\`C-x C-a C-n n n'.
 Used in `repeat-mode'.")
 
 (defcustom gud-xdb-directories nil
@@ -1564,7 +1564,7 @@ directories if your program contains sources from more than one directory."
                                     ("l" . gud-refresh)))
       (define-key map key cmd))
     map)
-  "Keymap to repeat `perldb' stepping instructions `C-x C-a C-n n n'.
+  "Keymap to repeat `perldb' stepping instructions \\`C-x C-a C-n n n'.
 Used in `repeat-mode'.")
 
 (defun gud-perldb-massage-args (_file args)
@@ -1754,7 +1754,7 @@ working directory and source-file directory for your debugger."
                                     (">" . gud-down)))
       (define-key map key cmd))
     map)
-  "Keymap to repeat `pdb' stepping instructions `C-x C-a C-n n n'.
+  "Keymap to repeat `pdb' stepping instructions \\`C-x C-a C-n n n'.
 Used in `repeat-mode'.")
 
 ;; There's no guarantee that Emacs will hand the filter the entire
@@ -1871,7 +1871,7 @@ directory and source-file directory for your debugger."
                                     (">" . gud-down)))
       (define-key map key cmd))
     map)
-  "Keymap to repeat `guiler' stepping instructions `C-x C-a C-n n n'.
+  "Keymap to repeat `guiler' stepping instructions \\`C-x C-a C-n n n'.
 Used in `repeat-mode'.")
 
 (defun gud-guiler-marker-filter (string)
@@ -2398,7 +2398,7 @@ extension EXTN.  Normally EXTN is given as the regular expression
                                     ("l" . gud-refresh)))
       (define-key map key cmd))
     map)
-  "Keymap to repeat `jdb' stepping instructions `C-x C-a C-n n n'.
+  "Keymap to repeat `jdb' stepping instructions \\`C-x C-a C-n n n'.
 Used in `repeat-mode'.")
 
 (defun gud-jdb-find-source-using-classpath (p)
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/idlw-shell.el b/lisp/progmodes/idlw-shell.el
index b6063521365..d21a9faec9d 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/idlw-shell.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/idlw-shell.el
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ because these are used as separators by IDL."
 
 (defcustom idlwave-shell-graphics-window-size '(500 400)
   "Size of IDL graphics windows popped up by special IDLWAVE command.
-The command is `C-c C-d C-f' and accepts as a prefix the window nr.
+The command is \\`C-c C-d C-f' and accepts as a prefix the window nr.
 A command like `WINDOW,N,xsize=XX,ysize=YY' is sent to IDL."
   :group 'idlwave-shell-general-setup
   :type '(list
@@ -844,7 +844,7 @@ IDL has currently stepped.")
    ---------
    A complete set of commands for compiling and debugging IDL programs
    is available from the menu.  Also keybindings starting with a
-   `C-c C-d' prefix are available for most commands in the *idl* buffer
+   \\`C-c C-d' prefix are available for most commands in the *idl* buffer
    and also in source buffers.  The best place to learn about the
    keybindings is again the menu.
 
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/idlwave.el b/lisp/progmodes/idlwave.el
index f55e3449e4a..a2061fde762 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/idlwave.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/idlwave.el
@@ -1001,9 +1001,9 @@ Obsolete, if the IDL Assistant is being used for help."
   "List of modifiers to be used for the debugging commands.
 Will be used to bind debugging commands in the shell buffer and in all
 source buffers.  These are additional convenience bindings, the debugging
-commands are always available with the `C-c C-d' prefix.
+commands are always available with the \\`C-c C-d' prefix.
 If you set this to (control shift), this means setting a breakpoint will
-be on `C-S-b', compiling a source file on `C-S-c' etc.  Possible modifiers
+be on \\`C-S-b', compiling a source file on \\`C-S-c' etc.  Possible modifiers
 are `control', `meta', `super', `hyper', `alt', and `shift'."
   :group 'idlwave-shell-general-setup
   :type '(set :tag "Specify modifiers"
@@ -8421,7 +8421,7 @@ was pressed."
 (defun idlwave-list-shell-load-path-shadows (&optional _arg)
   "List the load path shadows of all routines compiled under the shell.
 This is very useful for checking an IDL application.  Just compile the
-application, do RESOLVE_ALL, and `C-c C-i' to compile all referenced
+application, do RESOLVE_ALL, and \\`C-c C-i' to compile all referenced
 routines and update IDLWAVE internal info.  Then check for shadowing
 with this command."
   (interactive)
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/python.el b/lisp/progmodes/python.el
index 7a626ae35ee..f1191b8faab 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/python.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/python.el
@@ -3110,7 +3110,8 @@ of `error' with a user-friendly message."
   (or (python-shell-get-process)
       (if interactivep
           (user-error
-           "Start a Python process first with `M-x run-python' or `%s'"
+           (substitute-command-keys
+            "Start a Python process first with \\`M-x run-python' or `%s'")
            ;; Get the binding.
            (key-description
             (where-is-internal