but can we suggest a decent alternative? the truth is, there isn't really a much more sensible alternative that works with the current substitution model. obscure variable names? some hidden internal identifier that functions as $1- (eg. $`~(1) $`~(2)) :P?
Seems better to me too, than using $N.
To avoid the problem of creating a new $identifier, to quickly change the way it handles this, that could be a custom one it could be $*N, it's not possible to create such a custom identifier actually, so Khaled could use that instead of $N
