Somewhat related: Pandoc supports delimited ("fenced") blocks as well, but as an alternative allows you to use tildes ~~~python print "hi" ~~~ rat

Somewhat related: Pandoc supports delimited ("fenced") blocks as well, but as an alternative allows you to use tildes ~~~python print "hi" ~~~ rather than backticks ```python print "hi" ``` My own 2 cents: I like the more symmetrical tildes. Anyhow though, yes, I agree; it's great that github supports delimited/fenced syntax-highlighted code blocks and renders .md files there automatically.