was this influenced by the famous [well, back in the day] regexp in scheme post by that gun guy? [if not, you may find it interesting]

[edit: ok, so forgive my slow memory. it was olin shivers and ended up as http://www.scsh.net/docu/post/sre.html]

[edit2: gun context http://www.wanderings.net/notebook/Main/BitterAcknowledgment... (cannot find original); meant only in fond, amused recollection, although not personal, having never met him, of course.]