2005-09-24 Emilio C. Lopes <eclig@gmx.net>

	* woman.el (woman-file-name):
	* wid-edit.el (widget-file-prompt-value)
	(widget-coding-system-prompt-value):
	* w32-fns.el (set-w32-system-coding-system):
	* vc.el (vc-version-diff, vc-annotate):
	* textmodes/reftex-auc.el (reftex-arg-cite)
	(reftex-arg-index-tag):
	* textmodes/refer.el (refer-get-bib-files):
	* textmodes/artist.el (artist-figlet-choose-font):
	* terminal.el (terminal-emulator):
	* replace.el (occur-read-primary-args):
	* rect.el (string-rectangle, string-insert-rectangle):
	* ps-print.el (ps-print-preprint):
	* progmodes/pascal.el (pascal-goto-defun):
	* progmodes/etags.el (visit-tags-table, visit-tags-table-buffer):
	* progmodes/compile.el (compilation-find-file):
	* printing.el (pr-interactive-n-up):
	* play/animate.el (animate-birthday-present):
	* net/rcompile.el (remote-compile):
	* man.el (man, Man-goto-section, Man-follow-manual-reference):
	* mail/rmailsum.el (rmail-summary-search-backward)
	(rmail-summary-search):
	* mail/rmailout.el (rmail-output-read-rmail-file-name)
	(rmail-output-read-file-name):
	* mail/rmail.el (rmail-search, rmail-search-backwards):
	* mail/mailabbrev.el (merge-mail-abbrevs, rebuild-mail-abbrevs):
	* locate.el (locate):
	* international/quail.el (quail-show-keyboard-layout):
	* international/mule.el (set-buffer-file-coding-system)
	(revert-buffer-with-coding-system, set-file-name-coding-system)
	(set-terminal-coding-system, set-keyboard-coding-system)
	(set-next-selection-coding-system):
	* international/mule-diag.el (describe-coding-system)
	(describe-font, describe-fontset):
	* international/mule-cmds.el (universal-coding-system-argument)
	(search-unencodable-char, describe-input-method)
	(set-language-environment, describe-language-environment):
	* international/codepage.el (codepage-setup):
	* international/code-pages.el (codepage-setup):
	* info.el (Info-search, Info-follow-reference)
	(Info-search-backward):
	* emacs-lisp/advice.el (ad-read-advised-function)
	(ad-read-advice-class, ad-clear-cache, ad-activate)
	(ad-deactivate, ad-update, ad-unadvise, ad-read-advice-name)
	(ad-enable-advice, ad-disable-advice, ad-remove-advice)
	(ad-read-regexp):
	* ediff-util.el (ediff-toggle-regexp-match):
	* ediff-ptch.el (ediff-prompt-for-patch-file):
	* dired-aux.el (dired-diff):
	* diff.el (diff):
	* cus-edit.el (custom-variable-prompt):
	* calendar/timeclock.el (timeclock-ask-for-project):
	* calc/calcalg3.el (calc-get-fit-variables):
	* calc/calc-store.el (calc-edit-variable)
	(calc-permanent-variable):
	* vc-mcvs.el (vc-mcvs-register):
	* shadowfile.el (shadow-define-literal-group):
	* woman.el (woman-file-name):
	* vc.el (vc-version-diff, vc-merge):
	* textmodes/reftex-index.el (reftex-index-complete-tag):
	* format.el (format-decode-buffer, format-decode-region):
	* emulation/viper-cmd.el (viper-read-string-with-history):
	* emacs-lisp/debug.el (cancel-debug-on-entry):
	* emacs-lisp/checkdoc.el (checkdoc-this-string-valid-engine):
	* ediff.el (ediff-merge-revisions)
	(ediff-merge-revisions-with-ancestor, ediff-revision):
	* completion.el (interactive-completion-string-reader):
	* calc/calc-prog.el (calc-user-define-formula):
	Follow convention for reading with the minibuffer.

51 files changed, 244 insertions, 161 deletions

diff --git a/lisp/ChangeLog b/lisp/ChangeLog
index 8c84d8c461c..3000e2bd79f 100644
--- a/lisp/ChangeLog
+++ b/lisp/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,75 @@
+2005-09-24  Emilio C. Lopes  <eclig@gmx.net>
+
+        * woman.el (woman-file-name):
+        * wid-edit.el (widget-file-prompt-value)
+        (widget-coding-system-prompt-value):
+        * w32-fns.el (set-w32-system-coding-system):
+        * vc.el (vc-version-diff, vc-annotate):
+        * textmodes/reftex-auc.el (reftex-arg-cite)
+        (reftex-arg-index-tag):
+        * textmodes/refer.el (refer-get-bib-files):
+        * textmodes/artist.el (artist-figlet-choose-font):
+        * terminal.el (terminal-emulator):
+        * replace.el (occur-read-primary-args):
+        * rect.el (string-rectangle, string-insert-rectangle):
+        * ps-print.el (ps-print-preprint):
+        * progmodes/pascal.el (pascal-goto-defun):
+        * progmodes/etags.el (visit-tags-table, visit-tags-table-buffer):
+        * progmodes/compile.el (compilation-find-file):
+        * printing.el (pr-interactive-n-up):
+        * play/animate.el (animate-birthday-present):
+        * net/rcompile.el (remote-compile):
+        * man.el (man, Man-goto-section, Man-follow-manual-reference):
+        * mail/rmailsum.el (rmail-summary-search-backward)
+        (rmail-summary-search):
+        * mail/rmailout.el (rmail-output-read-rmail-file-name)
+        (rmail-output-read-file-name):
+        * mail/rmail.el (rmail-search, rmail-search-backwards):
+        * mail/mailabbrev.el (merge-mail-abbrevs, rebuild-mail-abbrevs):
+        * locate.el (locate):
+        * international/quail.el (quail-show-keyboard-layout):
+        * international/mule.el (set-buffer-file-coding-system)
+        (revert-buffer-with-coding-system, set-file-name-coding-system)
+        (set-terminal-coding-system, set-keyboard-coding-system)
+        (set-next-selection-coding-system):
+        * international/mule-diag.el (describe-coding-system)
+        (describe-font, describe-fontset):
+        * international/mule-cmds.el (universal-coding-system-argument)
+        (search-unencodable-char, describe-input-method)
+        (set-language-environment, describe-language-environment):
+        * international/codepage.el (codepage-setup):
+        * international/code-pages.el (codepage-setup):
+        * info.el (Info-search, Info-follow-reference)
+        (Info-search-backward):
+        * emacs-lisp/advice.el (ad-read-advised-function)
+        (ad-read-advice-class, ad-clear-cache, ad-activate)
+        (ad-deactivate, ad-update, ad-unadvise, ad-read-advice-name)
+        (ad-enable-advice, ad-disable-advice, ad-remove-advice)
+        (ad-read-regexp):
+        * ediff-util.el (ediff-toggle-regexp-match):
+        * ediff-ptch.el (ediff-prompt-for-patch-file):
+        * dired-aux.el (dired-diff):
+        * diff.el (diff):
+        * cus-edit.el (custom-variable-prompt):
+        * calendar/timeclock.el (timeclock-ask-for-project):
+        * calc/calcalg3.el (calc-get-fit-variables):
+        * calc/calc-store.el (calc-edit-variable)
+        (calc-permanent-variable):
+        * vc-mcvs.el (vc-mcvs-register):
+        * shadowfile.el (shadow-define-literal-group):
+        * woman.el (woman-file-name):
+        * vc.el (vc-version-diff, vc-merge):
+        * textmodes/reftex-index.el (reftex-index-complete-tag):
+        * format.el (format-decode-buffer, format-decode-region):
+        * emulation/viper-cmd.el (viper-read-string-with-history):
+        * emacs-lisp/debug.el (cancel-debug-on-entry):
+        * emacs-lisp/checkdoc.el (checkdoc-this-string-valid-engine):
+        * ediff.el (ediff-merge-revisions)
+        (ediff-merge-revisions-with-ancestor, ediff-revision):
+        * completion.el (interactive-completion-string-reader):
+        * calc/calc-prog.el (calc-user-define-formula):
+        Follow convention for reading with the minibuffer.
+
 2005-09-24  Steven Huwig  <steven_h@acm.org>  (tiny change)
 
         * progmodes/python.el (python-describe-symbol): Add globals() and
diff --git a/lisp/calc/calc-prog.el b/lisp/calc/calc-prog.el
index b44d8d256a5..2bbbbcceee5 100644
--- a/lisp/calc/calc-prog.el
+++ b/lisp/calc/calc-prog.el
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
          (progn
            (setq cmd-base-default (concat "User-" keyname))
            (setq cmd (completing-read 
-                      (concat "Define M-x command name (default: calc-"
+                      (concat "Define M-x command name (default calc-"
                               cmd-base-default
                               "): ")
                       obarray 'commandp nil
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@
            (setq func 
                  (concat "calcFunc-"
                          (completing-read 
-                          (concat "Define algebraic function name (default: "
+                          (concat "Define algebraic function name (default "
                                   cmd-base-default "): ")
                           (mapcar (lambda (x) (substring x 9))
                                   (all-completions "calcFunc-"
diff --git a/lisp/calc/calc-store.el b/lisp/calc/calc-store.el
index 1410b7d6651..82c7077ba91 100644
--- a/lisp/calc/calc-store.el
+++ b/lisp/calc/calc-store.el
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@
   (calc-wrapper
    (or var (setq var (calc-read-var-name
                       (if calc-last-edited-variable
-                          (format "Edit: (default %s) "
+                          (format "Edit (default %s): "
                                   (calc-var-name calc-last-edited-variable))
                         "Edit: "))))
    (or var (setq var calc-last-edited-variable))
@@ -587,7 +587,7 @@
 (defun calc-permanent-variable (&optional var)
   (interactive)
   (calc-wrapper
-   (or var (setq var (calc-read-var-name "Save variable (default=all): ")))
+   (or var (setq var (calc-read-var-name "Save variable (default all): ")))
    (let (calc-pv-pos)
      (and var (or (and (boundp var) (symbol-value var))
                   (error "No such variable")))
diff --git a/lisp/calc/calcalg3.el b/lisp/calc/calcalg3.el
index 0aef3ba55af..d5ef567866f 100644
--- a/lisp/calc/calcalg3.el
+++ b/lisp/calc/calcalg3.el
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@
       (setq defv (calc-invent-independent-variables nv)))
   (or defc
       (setq defc (calc-invent-parameter-variables nc defv)))
-  (let ((vars (read-string (format "Fitting variables: (default %s; %s) "
+  (let ((vars (read-string (format "Fitting variables (default %s; %s): "
                                    (mapconcat 'symbol-name
                                               (mapcar (function (lambda (v)
                                                                   (nth 1 v)))
diff --git a/lisp/calendar/timeclock.el b/lisp/calendar/timeclock.el
index afa7b0e87d9..f2ee3f3a048 100644
--- a/lisp/calendar/timeclock.el
+++ b/lisp/calendar/timeclock.el
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ relative only to the time worked today, and not to past time."
 (defun timeclock-ask-for-project ()
   "Ask the user for the project they are clocking into."
   (timeclock-completing-read
-   (format "Clock into which project (default \"%s\"): "
+   (format "Clock into which project (default %s): "
            (or timeclock-last-project
                (car timeclock-project-list)))
    (mapcar 'list timeclock-project-list)
diff --git a/lisp/completion.el b/lisp/completion.el
index 4b0f6cac9a6..12df9a52714 100644
--- a/lisp/completion.el
+++ b/lisp/completion.el
@@ -1343,7 +1343,7 @@ String must be longer than `completion-prefix-min-length'."
   (let* ((default (symbol-under-or-before-point))
          (new-prompt
           (if default
-              (format "%s: (default: %s) " prompt default)
+              (format "%s (default %s): " prompt default)
               (format "%s: " prompt)))
          (read (completing-read new-prompt cmpl-obarray)))
     (if (zerop (length read)) (setq read (or default "")))
diff --git a/lisp/cus-edit.el b/lisp/cus-edit.el
index 9827ab7d594..eb6656a426d 100644
--- a/lisp/cus-edit.el
+++ b/lisp/cus-edit.el
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ Return a list suitable for use in `interactive'."
          val)
      (setq val (completing-read
                 (if (and (symbolp v) (custom-variable-p v))
-                    (format "Customize option: (default %s) " v)
+                    (format "Customize option (default %s): " v)
                   "Customize option: ")
                 obarray 'custom-variable-p t))
      (list (if (equal val "")
@@ -967,7 +967,7 @@ then prompt for the MODE to customize."
 (defun customize-group (group)
   "Customize GROUP, which must be a customization group."
   (interactive (list (let ((completion-ignore-case t))
-                       (completing-read "Customize group: (default emacs) "
+                       (completing-read "Customize group (default emacs): "
                                         obarray
                                         (lambda (symbol)
                                           (or (get symbol 'custom-loads)
@@ -990,7 +990,7 @@ then prompt for the MODE to customize."
 (defun customize-group-other-window (group)
   "Customize GROUP, which must be a customization group."
   (interactive (list (let ((completion-ignore-case t))
-                       (completing-read "Customize group: (default emacs) "
+                       (completing-read "Customize group (default emacs): "
                                         obarray
                                         (lambda (symbol)
                                           (or (get symbol 'custom-loads)
diff --git a/lisp/diff.el b/lisp/diff.el
index 7602ecb0e37..8c4332b2da2 100644
--- a/lisp/diff.el
+++ b/lisp/diff.el
@@ -83,15 +83,15 @@ With prefix arg, prompt for diff switches."
      (setq newf (buffer-file-name)
            newf (if (and newf (file-exists-p newf))
                     (read-file-name
-                     (concat "Diff new file: (default "
-                             (file-name-nondirectory newf) ") ")
+                     (concat "Diff new file (default "
+                             (file-name-nondirectory newf) "): ")
                      nil newf t)
                   (read-file-name "Diff new file: " nil nil t)))
      (setq oldf (file-newest-backup newf)
            oldf (if (and oldf (file-exists-p oldf))
                     (read-file-name
-                     (concat "Diff original file: (default "
-                             (file-name-nondirectory oldf) ") ")
+                     (concat "Diff original file (default "
+                             (file-name-nondirectory oldf) "): ")
                      (file-name-directory oldf) oldf t)
                   (read-file-name "Diff original file: "
                                   (file-name-directory newf) nil t)))
diff --git a/lisp/dired-aux.el b/lisp/dired-aux.el
index 6426c6daf58..561c7cc7f6f 100644
--- a/lisp/dired-aux.el
+++ b/lisp/dired-aux.el
@@ -59,10 +59,10 @@ With prefix arg, prompt for second argument SWITCHES,
                       (save-excursion (goto-char (mark t))
                                       (dired-get-filename t t)))))
      (require 'diff)
-     (list (read-file-name (format "Diff %s with: %s"
+     (list (read-file-name (format "Diff %s with%s: "
                                    (dired-get-filename t)
                                    (if default
-                                       (concat "(default " default ") ")
+                                       (concat " (default " default ")")
                                      ""))
                            (if default
                                (dired-current-directory)
diff --git a/lisp/ediff-ptch.el b/lisp/ediff-ptch.el
index 2e374f11040..ec0e26e7d5c 100644
--- a/lisp/ediff-ptch.el
+++ b/lisp/ediff-ptch.el
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ are two possible targets for this patch.  However, these files do not exist."
         patch-file-name)
     (setq patch-file-name
           (read-file-name
-           (format "Patch is in file:%s "
+           (format "Patch is in file%s: "
                    (cond ((and buffer-file-name
                                (equal (expand-file-name dir)
                                       (file-name-directory buffer-file-name)))
diff --git a/lisp/ediff-util.el b/lisp/ediff-util.el
index 445669c599f..20a9869ac47 100644
--- a/lisp/ediff-util.el
+++ b/lisp/ediff-util.el
@@ -2219,18 +2219,18 @@ a regular expression typed in by the user."
             regexp-A
             (read-string
              (format
-              "Ignore A-regions matching this regexp (default \"%s\"): "
+              "Ignore A-regions matching this regexp (default %s): "
               ediff-regexp-hide-A))
             regexp-B
             (read-string
              (format
-              "Ignore B-regions matching this regexp (default \"%s\"): "
+              "Ignore B-regions matching this regexp (default %s): "
               ediff-regexp-hide-B)))
       (if ediff-3way-comparison-job
           (setq regexp-C
                 (read-string
                  (format
-                  "Ignore C-regions matching this regexp (default \"%s\"): "
+                  "Ignore C-regions matching this regexp (default %s): "
                   ediff-regexp-hide-C))))
       (if (eq ediff-hide-regexp-connective 'and)
           (setq msg-connective "BOTH"
@@ -2258,18 +2258,18 @@ a regular expression typed in by the user."
             regexp-A
             (read-string
              (format
-              "Focus on A-regions matching this regexp (default \"%s\"): "
+              "Focus on A-regions matching this regexp (default %s): "
               ediff-regexp-focus-A))
             regexp-B
             (read-string
              (format
-              "Focus on B-regions matching this regexp (default \"%s\"): "
+              "Focus on B-regions matching this regexp (default %s): "
               ediff-regexp-focus-B)))
       (if ediff-3way-comparison-job
           (setq regexp-C
                 (read-string
                  (format
-                  "Focus on C-regions matching this regexp (default \"%s\"): "
+                  "Focus on C-regions matching this regexp (default %s): "
                   ediff-regexp-focus-C))))
       (if (eq ediff-focus-regexp-connective 'and)
           (setq msg-connective "BOTH"
diff --git a/lisp/ediff.el b/lisp/ediff.el
index a4b5bd77368..8d4bb4d86fe 100644
--- a/lisp/ediff.el
+++ b/lisp/ediff.el
@@ -1261,13 +1261,13 @@ buffer."
     (setq rev1
           (read-string
            (format
-            "Version 1 to merge (default: %s's working version): "
+            "Version 1 to merge (default %s's working version): "
             (if (stringp file)
                 (file-name-nondirectory file) "current buffer")))
           rev2
           (read-string
            (format
-            "Version 2 to merge (default: %s): "
+            "Version 2 to merge (default %s): "
             (if (stringp file)
                 (file-name-nondirectory file) "current buffer"))))
     (ediff-load-version-control)
@@ -1293,19 +1293,19 @@ buffer."
     (setq rev1
           (read-string
            (format
-            "Version 1 to merge (default: %s's working version): "
+            "Version 1 to merge (default %s's working version): "
             (if (stringp file)
                 (file-name-nondirectory file) "current buffer")))
           rev2
           (read-string
            (format
-            "Version 2 to merge (default: %s): "
+            "Version 2 to merge (default %s): "
             (if (stringp file)
                 (file-name-nondirectory file) "current buffer")))
           ancestor-rev
           (read-string
            (format
-            "Ancestor version (default: %s's base revision): "
+            "Ancestor version (default %s's base revision): "
             (if (stringp file)
                 (file-name-nondirectory file) "current buffer"))))
     (ediff-load-version-control)
@@ -1411,11 +1411,11 @@ Uses `vc.el' or `rcs.el' depending on `ediff-version-control-package'."
   (let (rev1 rev2)
     (setq rev1
           (read-string
-           (format "Revision 1 to compare (default: %s's latest revision): "
+           (format "Revision 1 to compare (default %s's latest revision): "
                    (file-name-nondirectory file)))
           rev2
           (read-string
-           (format "Revision 2 to compare (default: %s's current state): "
+           (format "Revision 2 to compare (default %s's current state): "
                    (file-name-nondirectory file))))
     (ediff-load-version-control)
     (funcall
diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/advice.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/advice.el
index 480c838b878..ce727c30d14 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/advice.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/advice.el
@@ -2218,7 +2218,7 @@ which PREDICATE returns non-nil)."
   (let* ((ad-pReDiCaTe predicate)
          (function
           (completing-read
-           (format "%s(default %s) " (or prompt "Function: ") default)
+           (format "%s (default %s): " (or prompt "Function") default)
            ad-advised-functions
            (if predicate
                (function
@@ -2250,7 +2250,7 @@ class of FUNCTION)."
                   (ad-do-return class)))
             (error "ad-read-advice-class: `%s' has no advices" function)))
   (let ((class (completing-read
-                (format "%s(default %s) " (or prompt "Class: ") default)
+                (format "%s (default %s): " (or prompt "Class") default)
                 ad-advice-class-completion-table nil t)))
     (if (equal class "")
         default
@@ -2268,7 +2268,7 @@ An optional PROMPT is used to prompt for the name."
                (error "ad-read-advice-name: `%s' has no %s advice"
                       function class)
              (car (car name-completion-table))))
-         (prompt (format "%s(default %s) " (or prompt "Name: ") default))
+         (prompt (format "%s (default %s): " (or prompt "Name") default))
          (name (completing-read prompt name-completion-table nil t)))
     (if (equal name "")
         (intern default)
@@ -2289,9 +2289,9 @@ be used to prompt for the function."
 (defun ad-read-regexp (&optional prompt)
   "Read a regular expression from the minibuffer."
   (let ((regexp (read-from-minibuffer
-                 (concat (or prompt "Regular expression: ")
-                         (if (equal ad-last-regexp "") ""
-                           (format "(default \"%s\") " ad-last-regexp))))))
+                 (concat (or prompt "Regular expression")
+                         (if (equal ad-last-regexp "") ": "
+                           (format " (default %s): " ad-last-regexp))))))
     (setq ad-last-regexp
           (if (equal regexp "") ad-last-regexp regexp))))
 
@@ -2352,7 +2352,7 @@ FUNCTION was not advised)."
 
 (defun ad-enable-advice (function class name)
   "Enables the advice of FUNCTION with CLASS and NAME."
-  (interactive (ad-read-advice-specification "Enable advice of: "))
+  (interactive (ad-read-advice-specification "Enable advice of"))
   (if (ad-is-advised function)
       (if (eq (ad-enable-advice-internal function class name t) 0)
           (error "ad-enable-advice: `%s' has no %s advice matching `%s'"
@@ -2361,7 +2361,7 @@ FUNCTION was not advised)."
 
 (defun ad-disable-advice (function class name)
   "Disable the advice of FUNCTION with CLASS and NAME."
-  (interactive (ad-read-advice-specification "Disable advice of: "))
+  (interactive (ad-read-advice-specification "Disable advice of"))
   (if (ad-is-advised function)
       (if (eq (ad-enable-advice-internal function class name nil) 0)
           (error "ad-disable-advice: `%s' has no %s advice matching `%s'"
@@ -2385,7 +2385,7 @@ affected advices will be returned."
   "Enables all advices with names that contain a match for REGEXP.
 All currently advised functions will be considered."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-regexp "Enable advices via regexp: ")))
+   (list (ad-read-regexp "Enable advices via regexp")))
   (let ((matched-advices (ad-enable-regexp-internal regexp 'any t)))
     (if (interactive-p)
         (message "%d matching advices enabled" matched-advices))
@@ -2395,7 +2395,7 @@ All currently advised functions will be considered."
   "Disable all advices with names that contain a match for REGEXP.
 All currently advised functions will be considered."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-regexp "Disable advices via regexp: ")))
+   (list (ad-read-regexp "Disable advices via regexp")))
   (let ((matched-advices (ad-enable-regexp-internal regexp 'any nil)))
     (if (interactive-p)
         (message "%d matching advices disabled" matched-advices))
@@ -2405,7 +2405,7 @@ All currently advised functions will be considered."
   "Remove FUNCTION's advice with NAME from its advices in CLASS.
 If such an advice was found it will be removed from the list of advices
 in that CLASS."
-  (interactive (ad-read-advice-specification "Remove advice of: "))
+  (interactive (ad-read-advice-specification "Remove advice of"))
   (if (ad-is-advised function)
       (let* ((advice-to-remove (ad-find-advice function class name)))
         (if advice-to-remove
@@ -3285,7 +3285,7 @@ should be modified.  The assembled function will be returned."
 Clear the cache if you want to force `ad-activate' to construct a new
 advised definition from scratch."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-advised-function "Clear cached definition of: ")))
+   (list (ad-read-advised-function "Clear cached definition of")))
   (ad-set-advice-info-field function 'cache nil))
 
 (defun ad-make-cache-id (function)
@@ -3602,7 +3602,7 @@ an advised function that has actual pieces of advice but none of them are
 enabled is equivalent to a call to `ad-deactivate'.  The current advised
 definition will always be cached for later usage."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-advised-function "Activate advice of: ")
+   (list (ad-read-advised-function "Activate advice of")
          current-prefix-arg))
   (if ad-activate-on-top-level
       ;; avoid recursive calls to `ad-activate':
@@ -3632,7 +3632,7 @@ definition of FUNCTION will be replaced with it.  All the advice
 information will still be available so it can be activated again with
 a call to `ad-activate'."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-advised-function "Deactivate advice of: " 'ad-is-active)))
+   (list (ad-read-advised-function "Deactivate advice of" 'ad-is-active)))
   (if (not (ad-is-advised function))
       (error "ad-deactivate: `%s' is not advised" function)
     (cond ((ad-is-active function)
@@ -3650,7 +3650,7 @@ a call to `ad-activate'."
 See `ad-activate' for documentation on the optional COMPILE argument."
   (interactive
    (list (ad-read-advised-function
-          "Update advised definition of: " 'ad-is-active)))
+          "Update advised definition of" 'ad-is-active)))
   (if (ad-is-active function)
       (ad-activate function compile)))
 
@@ -3658,7 +3658,7 @@ See `ad-activate' for documentation on the optional COMPILE argument."
   "Deactivate FUNCTION and then remove all its advice information.
 If FUNCTION was not advised this will be a noop."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-advised-function "Unadvise function: ")))
+   (list (ad-read-advised-function "Unadvise function")))
   (cond ((ad-is-advised function)
          (if (ad-is-active function)
              (ad-deactivate function))
@@ -3689,7 +3689,7 @@ This activates the advice for each function
 that has at least one piece of advice whose name includes a match for REGEXP.
 See `ad-activate' for documentation on the optional COMPILE argument."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-regexp "Activate via advice regexp: ")
+   (list (ad-read-regexp "Activate via advice regexp")
          current-prefix-arg))
   (ad-do-advised-functions (function)
     (if (ad-find-some-advice function 'any regexp)
@@ -3700,7 +3700,7 @@ See `ad-activate' for documentation on the optional COMPILE argument."
 This deactivates the advice for each function
 that has at least one piece of advice whose name includes a match for REGEXP."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-regexp "Deactivate via advice regexp: ")))
+   (list (ad-read-regexp "Deactivate via advice regexp")))
   (ad-do-advised-functions (function)
     (if (ad-find-some-advice function 'any regexp)
         (ad-deactivate function))))
@@ -3711,7 +3711,7 @@ This reactivates the advice for each function
 that has at least one piece of advice whose name includes a match for REGEXP.
 See `ad-activate' for documentation on the optional COMPILE argument."
   (interactive
-   (list (ad-read-regexp "Update via advice regexp: ")
+   (list (ad-read-regexp "Update via advice regexp")
          current-prefix-arg))
   (ad-do-advised-functions (function)
     (if (ad-find-some-advice function 'any regexp)
diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/checkdoc.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/checkdoc.el
index 913ffcf1941..bab50a1c822 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/checkdoc.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/checkdoc.el
@@ -1585,7 +1585,7 @@ mouse-[0-3]\\)\\)\\>"))
                      ;; a prefix.
                      (let ((disambiguate
                             (completing-read
-                             "Disambiguating Keyword (default: variable): "
+                             "Disambiguating Keyword (default variable): "
                              '(("function") ("command") ("variable")
                                ("option") ("symbol"))
                              nil t nil nil "variable")))
diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/debug.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/debug.el
index 58b12376b05..2b47b139759 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/debug.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/debug.el
@@ -754,7 +754,7 @@ To specify a nil argument interactively, exit with an empty minibuffer."
   (interactive
    (list (let ((name
                 (completing-read
-                 "Cancel debug on entry to function (default: all functions): "
+                 "Cancel debug on entry to function (default all functions): "
                  (mapcar 'symbol-name debug-function-list) nil t)))
            (when name
              (unless (string= name "")
diff --git a/lisp/emulation/vip.el b/lisp/emulation/vip.el
index 51fbdb6b8c4..b07c634d9b4 100644
--- a/lisp/emulation/vip.el
+++ b/lisp/emulation/vip.el
@@ -893,7 +893,7 @@ is the name of the register for COM."
 each line in the region."
   (setq vip-quote-string
         (let ((str
-               (vip-read-string (format "quote string \(default \"%s\"\): "
+               (vip-read-string (format "quote string (default %s): "
                                         vip-quote-string))))
           (if (string= str "") vip-quote-string str)))
   (vip-enlarge-region (point) (mark))
diff --git a/lisp/emulation/viper-cmd.el b/lisp/emulation/viper-cmd.el
index 7d2e10a8f31..398c47d4784 100644
--- a/lisp/emulation/viper-cmd.el
+++ b/lisp/emulation/viper-cmd.el
@@ -2160,7 +2160,7 @@ problems."
     (setq keymap (or keymap minibuffer-local-map)
           initial (or initial "")
           temp-msg (if default
-                       (format "(default: %s) " default)
+                       (format "(default %s) " default)
                      ""))
 
     (setq viper-incomplete-ex-cmd nil)
diff --git a/lisp/format.el b/lisp/format.el
index c43898d78a7..30e9ee207c7 100644
--- a/lisp/format.el
+++ b/lisp/format.el
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ If the format is not specified, this function attempts to guess.
 `buffer-file-format' is set to the format used, and any mode-functions
 for the format are called."
   (interactive
-   (list (format-read "Translate buffer from format (default: guess): ")))
+   (list (format-read "Translate buffer from format (default guess): ")))
   (save-excursion
     (goto-char (point-min))
     (format-decode format (buffer-size) t)))
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ Arg FORMAT is optional; if omitted the format will be determined by looking
 for identifying regular expressions at the beginning of the region."
   (interactive
    (list (region-beginning) (region-end)
-         (format-read "Translate region from format (default: guess): ")))
+         (format-read "Translate region from format (default guess): ")))
   (save-excursion
     (goto-char from)
     (format-decode format (- to from) nil)))
diff --git a/lisp/info.el b/lisp/info.el
index 4c40e187c03..7868125b9b0 100644
--- a/lisp/info.el
+++ b/lisp/info.el
@@ -1569,11 +1569,11 @@ PATH-AND-SUFFIXES is a pair of lists, (DIRECTORIES . SUFFIXES)."
 If DIRECTION is `backward', search in the reverse direction."
   (interactive (list (read-string
                       (if Info-search-history
-                          (format "Regexp search%s (default `%s'): "
-                                  (if case-fold-search "" " case-sensitively")
+                          (format "Regexp search%s (default %s): "
+                                  (if case-fold-search "" " case-sensitively")
                                   (car Info-search-history))
                         (format "Regexp search%s: "
-                                (if case-fold-search "" " case-sensitively")))
+                                (if case-fold-search "" " case-sensitively")))
                       nil 'Info-search-history)))
   (when transient-mark-mode
     (deactivate-mark))
@@ -1757,11 +1757,11 @@ If DIRECTION is `backward', search in the reverse direction."
   "Search for REGEXP in the reverse direction."
   (interactive (list (read-string
                       (if Info-search-history
-                          (format "Regexp search%s backward (default `%s'): "
-                                  (if case-fold-search "" " case-sensitively")
+                          (format "Regexp search%s backward (default %s): "
+                                  (if case-fold-search "" " case-sensitively")
                                   (car Info-search-history))
                         (format "Regexp search%s backward: "
-                                (if case-fold-search "" " case-sensitively")))
+                                (if case-fold-search "" " case-sensitively")))
                       nil 'Info-search-history)))
   (Info-search regexp bound noerror count 'backward))
 
@@ -2107,8 +2107,8 @@ new buffer."
      (if completions
          (let ((input (completing-read (if default
                                            (concat
-                                            "Follow reference named: (default "
-                                            default ") ")
+                                            "Follow reference named (default "
+                                            default "): ")
                                          "Follow reference named: ")
                                        completions nil t)))
            (list (if (equal input "")
diff --git a/lisp/international/code-pages.el b/lisp/international/code-pages.el
index df9853147c2..a3f5ff4819f 100644
--- a/lisp/international/code-pages.el
+++ b/lisp/international/code-pages.el
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ read/written by MS-DOS software, or for display on the MS-DOS terminal."
   (interactive
    (let ((completion-ignore-case t)
          (candidates (cp-supported-codepages)))
-     (list (completing-read "Setup DOS Codepage: (default 437) " candidates
+     (list (completing-read "Setup DOS Codepage (default 437): " candidates
                             nil t nil nil "437"))))
   (let ((cp (format "cp%s" codepage)))
     (unless (coding-system-p (intern cp))
diff --git a/lisp/international/codepage.el b/lisp/international/codepage.el
index 854d4673ecd..56920b968ac 100644
--- a/lisp/international/codepage.el
+++ b/lisp/international/codepage.el
@@ -662,7 +662,7 @@ read/written by MS-DOS software, or for display on the MS-DOS terminal."
   (interactive
    (let ((completion-ignore-case t)
          (candidates (cp-supported-codepages)))
-     (list (completing-read "Setup DOS Codepage: (default 437) " candidates
+     (list (completing-read "Setup DOS Codepage (default 437): " candidates
                             nil t nil nil "437"))))
   (let* ((cp (format "cp%s" codepage))
          (cp-defined (intern-soft cp)))
diff --git a/lisp/international/mule-cmds.el b/lisp/international/mule-cmds.el
index 8f491560ecc..f1c7a65a5a5 100644
--- a/lisp/international/mule-cmds.el
+++ b/lisp/international/mule-cmds.el
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ wrong, use this command again to toggle back to the right mode."
                        buffer-file-coding-system)))
      (list (read-coding-system
             (if default
-                (format "Coding system for following command (default, %s): " default)
+                (format "Coding system for following command (default %s): " default)
               "Coding system for following command: ")
             default))))
   (let* ((keyseq (read-key-sequence
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ or nil if all characters are encodable."
   (interactive
    (list (let ((default (or buffer-file-coding-system 'us-ascii)))
            (read-coding-system
-            (format "Coding-system (default, %s): " default)
+            (format "Coding-system (default %s): " default)
             default))))
   (let ((pos (unencodable-char-position (point) (point-max) coding-system)))
     (if pos
@@ -1490,7 +1490,7 @@ which marks the variable `default-input-method' as set for Custom buffers."
   "Describe input method INPUT-METHOD."
   (interactive
    (list (read-input-method-name
-          "Describe input method (default, current choice): ")))
+          "Describe input method (default current choice): ")))
   (if (and input-method (symbolp input-method))
       (setq input-method (symbol-name input-method)))
   (help-setup-xref (list #'describe-input-method
@@ -1810,7 +1810,7 @@ which is the name of a language environment.  For example, \"Latin-1\"
 specifies the character set for the major languages of Western Europe."
   (interactive (list (read-language-name
                       nil
-                      "Set language environment (default, English): ")))
+                      "Set language environment (default English): ")))
   (if language-name
       (if (symbolp language-name)
           (setq language-name (symbol-name language-name)))
@@ -1986,7 +1986,7 @@ of `buffer-file-coding-system' set by this function."
   (interactive
    (list (read-language-name
           'documentation
-          "Describe language environment (default, current choice): ")))
+          "Describe language environment (default current choice): ")))
   (if (null language-name)
       (setq language-name current-language-environment))
   (if (or (null language-name)
@@ -2014,7 +2014,7 @@ of `buffer-file-coding-system' set by this function."
               (l (copy-sequence input-method-alist)))
           (insert "Input methods")
           (when input-method
-            (insert " (default, " input-method ")")
+            (insert " (default " input-method ")")
             (setq input-method (assoc input-method input-method-alist))
             (setq l (cons input-method (delete input-method l))))
           (insert ":\n")
diff --git a/lisp/international/mule-diag.el b/lisp/international/mule-diag.el
index 6e2ff809cac..0a2e5a7c325 100644
--- a/lisp/international/mule-diag.el
+++ b/lisp/international/mule-diag.el
@@ -598,7 +598,7 @@ PC `codepages' and other coded character sets.  See `non-iso-charset-alist'."
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun describe-coding-system (coding-system)
   "Display information about CODING-SYSTEM."
-  (interactive "zDescribe coding system (default, current choices): ")
+  (interactive "zDescribe coding system (default current choices): ")
   (if (null coding-system)
       (describe-current-coding-system)
     (help-setup-xref (list #'describe-coding-system coding-system)
@@ -1040,7 +1040,7 @@ but still contains full information about each coding system."
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun describe-font (fontname)
   "Display information about fonts which partially match FONTNAME."
-  (interactive "sFontname (default, current choice for ASCII chars): ")
+  (interactive "sFontname (default current choice for ASCII chars): ")
   (or (and window-system (fboundp 'fontset-list))
       (error "No fontsets being used"))
   (when (or (not fontname) (= (length fontname) 0))
@@ -1137,7 +1137,7 @@ This shows which font is used for which character(s)."
                           (mapcar 'cdr fontset-alias-alist)))
            (completion-ignore-case t))
        (list (completing-read
-              "Fontset (default, used by the current frame): "
+              "Fontset (default used by the current frame): "
               fontset-list nil t)))))
   (if (= (length fontset) 0)
       (setq fontset (frame-parameter nil 'font)))
diff --git a/lisp/international/mule.el b/lisp/international/mule.el
index 80c4fd590fe..a4a1ca76e2c 100644
--- a/lisp/international/mule.el
+++ b/lisp/international/mule.el
@@ -1159,7 +1159,7 @@ surely saves the buffer with CODING-SYSTEM.  From a program, if you
 don't want to mark the buffer modified, specify t for NOMODIFY.
 If you know exactly what coding system you want to use,
 just set the variable `buffer-file-coding-system' directly."
-  (interactive "zCoding system for saving file (default, nil): \nP")
+  (interactive "zCoding system for saving file (default nil): \nP")
   (check-coding-system coding-system)
   (if (and coding-system buffer-file-coding-system (null force))
       (setq coding-system
@@ -1183,7 +1183,7 @@ do.  If FORCE is nil, get the unspecified aspect (or aspects) from the
 buffer's previous `buffer-file-coding-system' value (if it is
 specified there).  Otherwise, determine it from the file contents as
 usual for visiting a file."
-  (interactive "zCoding system for visited file (default, nil): \nP")
+  (interactive "zCoding system for visited file (default nil): \nP")
   (check-coding-system coding-system)
   (if (and coding-system buffer-file-coding-system (null force))
       (setq coding-system
@@ -1195,7 +1195,7 @@ usual for visiting a file."
   "Set coding system for decoding and encoding file names to CODING-SYSTEM.
 It actually just set the variable `file-name-coding-system' (which
 see) to CODING-SYSTEM."
-  (interactive "zCoding system for file names (default, nil): ")
+  (interactive "zCoding system for file names (default nil): ")
   (check-coding-system coding-system)
   (if (and coding-system
            (coding-system-get coding-system 'ascii-incompatible))
@@ -1219,7 +1219,7 @@ or by the previous use of this command."
                                  default-terminal-coding-system)
                             default-terminal-coding-system)))
            (read-coding-system
-            (format "Coding system for terminal display (default, %s): "
+            (format "Coding system for terminal display (default %s): "
                     default)
             default))))
   (if (and (not coding-system)
@@ -1248,7 +1248,7 @@ or by the previous use of this command."
                                  default-keyboard-coding-system)
                             default-keyboard-coding-system)))
            (read-coding-system
-            (format "Coding system for keyboard input (default, %s): "
+            (format "Coding system for keyboard input (default %s): "
                     default)
             default))))
   (if (and (not coding-system)
@@ -1321,7 +1321,7 @@ This setting is effective for the next communication only."
   (interactive
    (list (read-coding-system
           (if last-next-selection-coding-system
-              (format "Coding system for the next X selection (default, %S): "
+              (format "Coding system for the next X selection (default %S): "
                       last-next-selection-coding-system)
             "Coding system for the next X selection: ")
           last-next-selection-coding-system)))
diff --git a/lisp/international/quail.el b/lisp/international/quail.el
index 1bc02863ffb..0f9cc8f231d 100644
--- a/lisp/international/quail.el
+++ b/lisp/international/quail.el
@@ -897,7 +897,7 @@ The format of KBD-LAYOUT is the same as `quail-keyboard-layout'."
 The variable `quail-keyboard-layout-type' holds the currently selected
 keyboard type."
   (interactive
-   (list (completing-read "Keyboard type (default, current choice): "
+   (list (completing-read "Keyboard type (default current choice): "
                           quail-keyboard-layout-alist
                           nil t)))
   (or (and keyboard-type (> (length keyboard-type) 0))
diff --git a/lisp/locate.el b/lisp/locate.el
index cbf2e4866ab..390e0ec72b3 100644
--- a/lisp/locate.el
+++ b/lisp/locate.el
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ With prefix arg, prompt for the locate command to run."
                (input
                 (read-from-minibuffer
                  (if  (> (length default) 0)
-                     (format "Locate (default `%s'): " default)
+                     (format "Locate (default %s): " default)
                    (format "Locate: "))
                  nil nil nil 'locate-history-list default t)))
                (and (equal input "") default
diff --git a/lisp/mail/mailabbrev.el b/lisp/mail/mailabbrev.el
index 270d2cd6385..06af543b4da 100644
--- a/lisp/mail/mailabbrev.el
+++ b/lisp/mail/mailabbrev.el
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ of a mail alias.  The value is set up, buffer-local, when first needed.")
                       (default-directory (expand-file-name "~/"))
                       (def mail-personal-alias-file))
                   (read-file-name
-                    (format "Read additional aliases from file: (default %s) "
+                   (format "Read additional aliases from file (default %s): "
                             def)
                     default-directory
                     (expand-file-name def default-directory)
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ of a mail alias.  The value is set up, buffer-local, when first needed.")
                       (default-directory (expand-file-name "~/"))
                       (def mail-personal-alias-file))
                   (read-file-name
-                   (format "Read mail aliases from file: (default %s) " def)
+                   (format "Read mail aliases from file (default %s): " def)
                    default-directory
                    (expand-file-name def default-directory)
                    t))))
diff --git a/lisp/mail/rmail.el b/lisp/mail/rmail.el
index b84ea1f34d1..0decf2813aa 100644
--- a/lisp/mail/rmail.el
+++ b/lisp/mail/rmail.el
@@ -3038,13 +3038,14 @@ Interactively, empty argument means use same regexp used last time."
   (interactive
     (let* ((reversep (< (prefix-numeric-value current-prefix-arg) 0))
            (prompt
-            (concat (if reversep "Reverse " "") "Rmail search (regexp): "))
+            (concat (if reversep "Reverse " "") "Rmail search (regexp"))
            regexp)
-      (if rmail-search-last-regexp
-          (setq prompt (concat prompt
-                               "(default "
-                               rmail-search-last-regexp
-                               ") ")))
+      (setq prompt
+            (concat prompt
+                    (if rmail-search-last-regexp
+                        (concat ", default "
+                                rmail-search-last-regexp "): ")
+                      "): ")))
       (setq regexp (read-string prompt))
       (cond ((not (equal regexp ""))
              (setq rmail-search-last-regexp regexp))
@@ -3109,13 +3110,14 @@ Interactively, empty argument means use same regexp used last time."
   (interactive
     (let* ((reversep (>= (prefix-numeric-value current-prefix-arg) 0))
            (prompt
-            (concat (if reversep "Reverse " "") "Rmail search (regexp): "))
+            (concat (if reversep "Reverse " "") "Rmail search (regexp"))
            regexp)
-      (if rmail-search-last-regexp
-          (setq prompt (concat prompt
-                               "(default "
-                               rmail-search-last-regexp
-                               ") ")))
+      (setq prompt
+            (concat prompt
+                    (if rmail-search-last-regexp
+                        (concat ", default "
+                                rmail-search-last-regexp "): ")
+                      "): ")))
       (setq regexp (read-string prompt))
       (cond ((not (equal regexp ""))
              (setq rmail-search-last-regexp regexp))
diff --git a/lisp/mail/rmailout.el b/lisp/mail/rmailout.el
index a3b46ddaedf..d97c181eb81 100644
--- a/lisp/mail/rmailout.el
+++ b/lisp/mail/rmailout.el
@@ -63,9 +63,9 @@ Set `rmail-default-rmail-file' to this name as well as returning it."
     (let ((read-file
            (expand-file-name
             (read-file-name
-             (concat "Output message to Rmail file: (default "
+             (concat "Output message to Rmail file (default "
                      (file-name-nondirectory default-file)
-                     ") ")
+                     "): ")
              (file-name-directory default-file)
              (abbreviate-file-name default-file))
             (file-name-directory default-file))))
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ Set `rmail-default-file' to this name as well as returning it."
     (let ((read-file
            (expand-file-name
             (read-file-name
-             (concat "Output message to Unix mail file: (default "
+             (concat "Output message to Unix mail file (default "
                      (file-name-nondirectory default-file)
-                     ") ")
+                     "): ")
              (file-name-directory default-file)
              (abbreviate-file-name default-file))
             (file-name-directory default-file))))
diff --git a/lisp/mail/rmailsum.el b/lisp/mail/rmailsum.el
index ad2c275a679..497f2f75301 100644
--- a/lisp/mail/rmailsum.el
+++ b/lisp/mail/rmailsum.el
@@ -1346,13 +1346,14 @@ Interactively, empty argument means use same regexp used last time."
   (interactive
     (let* ((reversep (>= (prefix-numeric-value current-prefix-arg) 0))
            (prompt
-            (concat (if reversep "Reverse " "") "Rmail search (regexp): "))
+            (concat (if reversep "Reverse " "") "Rmail search (regexp"))
            regexp)
-      (if rmail-search-last-regexp
-          (setq prompt (concat prompt
-                               "(default "
-                               rmail-search-last-regexp
-                               ") ")))
+      (setq prompt
+            (concat prompt
+                    (if rmail-search-last-regexp
+                        (concat ", default "
+                                rmail-search-last-regexp "): ")
+                      "): ")))
       (setq regexp (read-string prompt))
       (cond ((not (equal regexp ""))
              (setq rmail-search-last-regexp regexp))
@@ -1377,13 +1378,14 @@ Interactively, empty argument means use same regexp used last time."
   (interactive
     (let* ((reversep (< (prefix-numeric-value current-prefix-arg) 0))
            (prompt
-            (concat (if reversep "Reverse " "") "Rmail search (regexp): "))
+            (concat (if reversep "Reverse " "") "Rmail search (regexp"))
            regexp)
-      (if rmail-search-last-regexp
-          (setq prompt (concat prompt
-                               "(default "
-                               rmail-search-last-regexp
-                               ") ")))
+      (setq prompt
+            (concat prompt
+                    (if rmail-search-last-regexp
+                        (concat ", default "
+                                rmail-search-last-regexp "): ")
+                      "): ")))
       (setq regexp (read-string prompt))
       (cond ((not (equal regexp ""))
              (setq rmail-search-last-regexp regexp))
diff --git a/lisp/man.el b/lisp/man.el
index 60fc7c009e1..6c8a5a18b44 100644
--- a/lisp/man.el
+++ b/lisp/man.el
@@ -663,10 +663,10 @@ all sections related to a subject, put something appropriate into the
   (interactive
    (list (let* ((default-entry (Man-default-man-entry))
                 (input (read-string
-                        (format "Manual entry%s: "
+                        (format "Manual entry%s"
                                 (if (string= default-entry "")
-                                    ""
-                                  (format " (default %s)" default-entry)))
+                                    ": "
+                                  (format " (default %s): " default-entry)))
                         nil nil default-entry)))
            (if (string= input "")
                (error "No man args given")
@@ -1273,7 +1273,7 @@ Returns t if section is found, nil otherwise."
         (let* ((default (aheadsym Man-sections-alist))
                (completion-ignore-case t)
                chosen
-               (prompt (concat "Go to section: (default " default ") ")))
+               (prompt (concat "Go to section (default " default "): ")))
           (setq chosen (completing-read prompt Man-sections-alist))
           (if (or (not chosen)
                   (string= chosen ""))
@@ -1328,7 +1328,7 @@ Specify which REFERENCE to use; default is based on word at point."
                                   Man-refpages-alist))
                             (aheadsym Man-refpages-alist)))
                    chosen
-                   (prompt (concat "Refer to: (default " default ") ")))
+                   (prompt (concat "Refer to (default " default "): ")))
               (setq chosen (completing-read prompt Man-refpages-alist))
               (if (or (not chosen)
                       (string= chosen ""))
diff --git a/lisp/net/rcompile.el b/lisp/net/rcompile.el
index 47ee84d42b8..c643d72da97 100644
--- a/lisp/net/rcompile.el
+++ b/lisp/net/rcompile.el
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ See \\[compile]."
                     remote-compile-host)
              user (if remote-compile-prompt-for-user
                       (read-from-minibuffer (format
-                                             "Compile by user (default %s)"
+                                             "Compile by user (default %s): "
                                              (or remote-compile-user
                                                  (user-login-name)))
                                             "" nil nil
diff --git a/lisp/play/animate.el b/lisp/play/animate.el
index 662adf119b7..47f08a8b098 100644
--- a/lisp/play/animate.el
+++ b/lisp/play/animate.el
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ Strings will be separated from each other by SPACE lines."
 (defun animate-birthday-present (&optional name)
   "Display one's birthday present in a new buffer.
 You can specify the one's name by NAME; the default value is \"Sarah\"."
-  (interactive (list (read-string "Name (default \"Sarah\"): "
+  (interactive (list (read-string "Name (default Sarah): "
                                   nil nil "Sarah")))
   ;; Make a suitable buffer to display the birthday present in.
   (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create (format "*%s*" name)))
diff --git a/lisp/printing.el b/lisp/printing.el
index ec2c8a3cfda..3771871c9c8 100644
--- a/lisp/printing.el
+++ b/lisp/printing.el
@@ -5704,7 +5704,7 @@ If menu binding was not done, calls `pr-menu-bind'."
 (defun pr-interactive-n-up (mess)
   (or (stringp mess) (setq mess "*"))
   (save-match-data
-    (let* ((fmt-prompt "%s[%s] N-up printing: (default 1) ")
+    (let* ((fmt-prompt "%s[%s] N-up printing (default 1): ")
            (prompt "")
            (str (pr-f-read-string (format fmt-prompt prompt mess) "1" nil "1"))
            int)
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/compile.el b/lisp/progmodes/compile.el
index f29051ab0b0..5ff256e5f8f 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/compile.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/compile.el
@@ -1778,7 +1778,7 @@ Pop up the buffer containing MARKER and scroll to MARKER if we ask the user."
                                     marker)
             (let ((name (expand-file-name
                          (read-file-name
-                          (format "Find this %s in: (default %s) "
+                          (format "Find this %s in (default %s): "
                                   compilation-error filename)
                           spec-dir filename t))))
               (if (file-directory-p name)
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/etags.el b/lisp/progmodes/etags.el
index 54b4cda9d18..ea87dce591f 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/etags.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/etags.el
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ With a prefix arg, set the buffer-local value instead.
 When you find a tag with \\[find-tag], the buffer it finds the tag
 in is given a local value of this variable which is the name of the tags
 file the tag was in."
-  (interactive (list (read-file-name "Visit tags table: (default TAGS) "
+  (interactive (list (read-file-name "Visit tags table (default TAGS): "
                                      default-directory
                                      (expand-file-name "TAGS"
                                                        default-directory)
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ Returns t if it visits a tags table, or nil if there are no more in the list."
                   (car list))
                 ;; Finally, prompt the user for a file name.
                 (expand-file-name
-                 (read-file-name "Visit tags table: (default TAGS) "
+                 (read-file-name "Visit tags table (default TAGS): "
                                  default-directory
                                  "TAGS"
                                  t))))))
diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/pascal.el b/lisp/progmodes/pascal.el
index 47b36db6539..b84fa87a0de 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/pascal.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/pascal.el
@@ -1470,7 +1470,7 @@ The default is a name found in the buffer around point."
                       default ""))
          (label (if (not (string= default ""))
                     ;; Do completion with default
-                    (completing-read (concat "Label: (default " default ") ")
+                    (completing-read (concat "Label (default " default "): ")
                                      'pascal-comp-defun nil t "")
                   ;; There is no default value. Complete without it
                   (completing-read "Label: "
diff --git a/lisp/ps-print.el b/lisp/ps-print.el
index 94f1f5839a2..fc91e55a746 100644
--- a/lisp/ps-print.el
+++ b/lisp/ps-print.el
@@ -4663,7 +4663,7 @@ page-height == ((floor print-height ((th + ls) * zh)) * ((th + ls) * zh)) - th
        (let* ((name   (concat (file-name-nondirectory (or (buffer-file-name)
                                                           (buffer-name)))
                               ".ps"))
-              (prompt (format "Save PostScript to file: (default %s) " name))
+              (prompt (format "Save PostScript to file (default %s): " name))
               (res    (read-file-name prompt default-directory name nil)))
          (while (cond ((file-directory-p res)
                        (ding)
diff --git a/lisp/rect.el b/lisp/rect.el
index d7ae6592f74..a7a863e204b 100644
--- a/lisp/rect.el
+++ b/lisp/rect.el
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ Called from a program, takes three args; START, END and STRING."
           (list
            (region-beginning)
            (region-end)
-           (read-string (format "String rectangle (default `%s'): "
+           (read-string (format "String rectangle (default %s): "
                                 (or (car string-rectangle-history) ""))
                         nil 'string-rectangle-history
                         (car string-rectangle-history)))))
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ This command does not delete or overwrite any existing text."
           (list
            (region-beginning)
            (region-end)
-           (read-string (format "String insert rectangle (default `%s'): "
+           (read-string (format "String insert rectangle (default %s): "
                                 (or (car string-rectangle-history) ""))
                         nil 'string-rectangle-history
                         (car string-rectangle-history)))))
diff --git a/lisp/replace.el b/lisp/replace.el
index 33162b02d3c..e2562ed3469 100644
--- a/lisp/replace.el
+++ b/lisp/replace.el
@@ -907,7 +907,7 @@ If the value is nil, don't highlight the buffer names specially."
                (input
                 (read-from-minibuffer
                  (if default
-                     (format "List lines matching regexp (default `%s'): "
+                     (format "List lines matching regexp (default %s): "
                              (query-replace-descr default))
                    "List lines matching regexp: ")
                  nil
diff --git a/lisp/shadowfile.el b/lisp/shadowfile.el
index 990049afff1..8dd5f375daa 100644
--- a/lisp/shadowfile.el
+++ b/lisp/shadowfile.el
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ in the cluster."
                        (sit-for 2))
                      try-regexp))
 ;        (username (read-no-blanks-input
-;                   (format "Username [default: %s]: "
+;                   (format "Username (default %s): "
 ;                           (shadow-get-user primary))
 ;                   (if old (or (shadow-cluster-username old) "")
 ;                     (user-login-name))))
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ specific hostnames, or names of clusters \(see `shadow-define-cluster')."
          (name (nth 2 hup))
          user site group)
     (while (setq site (shadow-read-site))
-      (setq user (read-string (format "Username [default %s]: "
+      (setq user (read-string (format "Username (default %s): "
                                       (shadow-get-user site)))
             name (read-string "Filename: " name))
       (setq group (cons (shadow-make-fullname site
diff --git a/lisp/terminal.el b/lisp/terminal.el
index 75d0c7acbd7..645d7a6bd6a 100644
--- a/lisp/terminal.el
+++ b/lisp/terminal.el
@@ -1115,7 +1115,7 @@ subprocess started."
                          (getenv "SHELL")
                          "/bin/sh"))
                    (s (read-string
-                       (format "Run program in emulator: (default %s) "
+                       (format "Run program in emulator (default %s): "
                                default-s))))
               (if (equal s "")
                   (list default-s '())
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/artist.el b/lisp/textmodes/artist.el
index c3340d6fd37..c9fcd01d018 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/artist.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/artist.el
@@ -2863,9 +2863,9 @@ Returns a list of strings."
   "Read any extra arguments for figlet."
   (interactive)
   (let* ((avail-fonts  (artist-figlet-get-font-list))
-         (font (completing-read (concat "Select font: (default "
+         (font (completing-read (concat "Select font (default "
                                         artist-figlet-default-font
-                                        ") ")
+                                        "): ")
                                 (mapcar
                                  (lambda (font) (cons font font))
                                  avail-fonts))))
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/refer.el b/lisp/textmodes/refer.el
index 82f06576c1a..9fa0afe2046 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/refer.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/refer.el
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ found on the last refer-find-entry or refer-find-next-entry."
              (list (expand-file-name
                     (if (eq major-mode 'bibtex-mode)
                         (read-file-name
-                         (format ".bib file: (default %s) "
+                         (format ".bib file (default %s): "
                                  (file-name-nondirectory
                                   (buffer-file-name)))
                          (file-name-directory (buffer-file-name))
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-auc.el b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-auc.el
index 855bab7721c..65815dd2885 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-auc.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-auc.el
@@ -67,8 +67,8 @@ What is being used depends upon `reftex-plug-into-AUCTeX'."
       (setq items (list (or (reftex-citation t) ""))))
      (t
       (setq prompt (concat (if optional "(Optional) " "")
-                           (if prompt prompt "Add key")
-                           ": (default none) "))
+                           (if prompt prompt "Add key")
+                           " (default none): "))
       (setq items (multi-prompt "," t prompt (LaTeX-bibitem-list)))))
     (apply 'LaTeX-add-bibitems items)
     (TeX-argument-insert (mapconcat 'identity items ",") optional)))
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ What is being used depends upon `reftex-plug-into-AUCTeX'."
 This is the name of an index, not the entry."
   (let (tag taglist)
     (setq prompt (concat (if optional "(Optional) " "")
-                         (if prompt prompt "Index tag")
-                         ": (default none) "))
+                         (if prompt prompt "Index tag")
+                         " (default none): "))
     (if (and reftex-support-index (reftex-plug-flag 4))
         ;; Use RefTeX completion
         (progn
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-index.el b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-index.el
index fc4b0495033..c987ed830b8 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-index.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-index.el
@@ -166,13 +166,20 @@ will prompt for other arguments."
   ;; OPT-ARGS is a list of optional argument indices, as given by
   ;; `reftex-parse-args'.
   (let* ((opt (and (integerp itag) (member itag opt-args)))
-         (index-tags (cdr (assq 'index-tags 
-                                (symbol-value reftex-docstruct-symbol))))
-         (default (reftex-default-index))
-         (prompt (concat "Index tag"
-                         (if default (format " (default: %s)" default) "")
-                         (if opt " (optional)" "") ": "))
-         (tag (completing-read prompt (mapcar 'list index-tags))))
+         (index-tags (cdr (assq 'index-tags
+                                (symbol-value reftex-docstruct-symbol))))
+         (default (reftex-default-index))
+         (prompt (concat "Index tag"
+                         (if (or opt default)
+                             (format " (%s): "
+                                     (concat
+                                      (if opt "optional" "")
+                                      (if default
+                                          (concat (if opt ", " "")
+                                                  (format "default %s" default))
+                                        "")))
+                           ": ")))
+         (tag (completing-read prompt (mapcar 'list index-tags))))
     (if (and default (equal tag "")) (setq tag default))
     (reftex-update-default-index tag)
     tag))
diff --git a/lisp/vc-mcvs.el b/lisp/vc-mcvs.el
index 271cd01cbfb..b52bc797dda 100644
--- a/lisp/vc-mcvs.el
+++ b/lisp/vc-mcvs.el
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ the Meta-CVS command (in that order)."
     ;; Make sure the `mcvs add' will not fire up the CVSEDITOR
     ;; to add a rule for the given file's extension.
     (when (and ext (not (assoc ext types)))
-      (let ((type (completing-read "Type to use [default]: "
+      (let ((type (completing-read "Type to use (default): "
                                    '("default" "name-only" "keep-old"
                                      "binary" "value-only")
                                    nil t nil nil "default")))
diff --git a/lisp/vc.el b/lisp/vc.el
index 665bb3d31e7..a1b446ab368 100644
--- a/lisp/vc.el
+++ b/lisp/vc.el
@@ -1707,7 +1707,7 @@ versions of all registered files in or below it."
   (interactive
    (let ((file (expand-file-name
                 (read-file-name (if buffer-file-name
-                                    "File or dir to diff: (default visited file) "
+                                    "File or dir to diff (default visited file): "
                                   "File or dir to diff: ")
                                 default-directory buffer-file-name t)))
          (rev1-default nil) (rev2-default nil))
@@ -1728,14 +1728,14 @@ versions of all registered files in or below it."
      ;; construct argument list
      (list file
            (read-string (if rev1-default
-                            (concat "Older version: (default "
-                                    rev1-default ") ")
+                            (concat "Older version (default "
+                                    rev1-default "): ")
                           "Older version: ")
                         nil nil rev1-default)
            (read-string (if rev2-default
-                            (concat "Newer version: (default "
-                                    rev2-default ") ")
-                          "Newer version (default: current source): ")
+                            (concat "Newer version (default "
+                                    rev2-default "): ")
+                          "Newer version (default current source): ")
                         nil nil rev2-default))))
   (if (file-directory-p file)
       ;; recursive directory diff
@@ -1998,7 +1998,7 @@ See Info node `Merging'."
         (error "Merge aborted"))))
     (setq first-version
           (read-string (concat "Branch or version to merge from "
-                               "(default: news on current branch): ")))
+                               "(default news on current branch): ")))
     (if (string= first-version "")
         (if (not (vc-find-backend-function backend 'merge-news))
             (error "Sorry, merging news is not implemented for %s" backend)
@@ -3080,7 +3080,7 @@ colors. `vc-annotate-background' specifies the background color."
          (bfn buffer-file-name)
          (vc-annotate-version
           (if prefix (read-string
-                      (format "Annotate from version: (default %s) " rev)
+                      (format "Annotate from version (default %s): " rev)
                       nil nil rev)
             rev)))
     (if display-mode
@@ -3088,7 +3088,7 @@ colors. `vc-annotate-background' specifies the background color."
       (if prefix
           (setq vc-annotate-display-mode
                 (float (string-to-number
-                        (read-string "Annotate span days: (default 20) "
+                        (read-string "Annotate span days (default 20): "
                                      nil nil "20"))))))
     (setq temp-buffer-name (format "*Annotate %s (rev %s)*"
                                    (buffer-name) vc-annotate-version))
diff --git a/lisp/w32-fns.el b/lisp/w32-fns.el
index 5b801e29831..e87cf288674 100644
--- a/lisp/w32-fns.el
+++ b/lisp/w32-fns.el
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ This function is provided for backward compatibility, since
   (interactive
    (list (let ((default locale-coding-system))
            (read-coding-system
-            (format "Coding system for system calls (default, %s): "
+            (format "Coding system for system calls (default %s): "
                     default)
             default))))
   (check-coding-system coding-system)
diff --git a/lisp/wid-edit.el b/lisp/wid-edit.el
index 9c391ab1176..55e50b7faec 100644
--- a/lisp/wid-edit.el
+++ b/lisp/wid-edit.el
@@ -3018,7 +3018,7 @@ It will read a file name from the minibuffer when invoked."
   (abbreviate-file-name
    (if unbound
        (read-file-name prompt)
-     (let ((prompt2 (format "%s (default %s) " prompt value))
+     (let ((prompt2 (format "%s (default %s): " prompt value))
            (dir (file-name-directory value))
            (file (file-name-nondirectory value))
            (must-match (widget-get widget :must-match)))
@@ -3031,7 +3031,7 @@ It will read a file name from the minibuffer when invoked."
 ;;;      (file (file-name-nondirectory value))
 ;;;      (menu-tag (widget-apply widget :menu-tag-get))
 ;;;      (must-match (widget-get widget :must-match))
-;;;      (answer (read-file-name (concat menu-tag ": (default `" value "') ")
+;;;      (answer (read-file-name (concat menu-tag " (default " value "): ")
 ;;;                              dir nil must-match file)))
 ;;;    (widget-value-set widget (abbreviate-file-name answer))
 ;;;    (widget-setup)
@@ -3135,10 +3135,10 @@ It will read a directory name from the minibuffer when invoked."
   "Read coding-system from minibuffer."
   (if (widget-get widget :base-only)
       (intern
-       (completing-read (format "%s (default %s) " prompt value)
+       (completing-read (format "%s (default %s): " prompt value)
                         (mapcar #'list (coding-system-list t)) nil nil nil
                         coding-system-history))
-      (read-coding-system (format "%s (default %s) " prompt value) value)))
+      (read-coding-system (format "%s (default %s): " prompt value) value)))
 
 (defun widget-coding-system-action (widget &optional event)
   (let ((answer
diff --git a/lisp/woman.el b/lisp/woman.el
index 315a0a3bbe5..bc7ec86e4a7 100644
--- a/lisp/woman.el
+++ b/lisp/woman.el
@@ -1229,7 +1229,7 @@ cache to be re-read."
                          word-at-point)))
                 (completing-read
                  (if default
-                     (format "Manual entry [default: %s]: " default)
+                     (format "Manual entry (default %s): " default)
                    "Manual entry: ")
                  woman-topic-all-completions nil 1
                  nil