diff --git a/src/lib/direct.cpp b/src/lib/direct.cpp
index 67e00fa18..c33563d95 100644
--- a/src/lib/direct.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/direct.cpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ int ncdirect_cursor_up(ncdirect* nc, int num){
   if(!nc->tcache.cuu){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("cuu", tiparm(nc->tcache.cuu, num), nc->ttyfp, false);
+  return term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.cuu, num), nc->ttyfp, false);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_cursor_left(ncdirect* nc, int num){
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ int ncdirect_cursor_left(ncdirect* nc, int num){
   if(!nc->tcache.cub){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("cub", tiparm(nc->tcache.cub, num), nc->ttyfp, false);
+  return term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.cub, num), nc->ttyfp, false);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_cursor_right(ncdirect* nc, int num){
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ int ncdirect_cursor_right(ncdirect* nc, int num){
   if(!nc->tcache.cuf){ // FIXME fall back to cuf1
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("cuf", tiparm(nc->tcache.cuf, num), nc->ttyfp, false);
+  return term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.cuf, num), nc->ttyfp, false);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_cursor_down(ncdirect* nc, int num){
@@ -88,14 +88,14 @@ int ncdirect_cursor_down(ncdirect* nc, int num){
   if(!nc->tcache.cud){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("cud", tiparm(nc->tcache.cud, num), nc->ttyfp, false);
+  return term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.cud, num), nc->ttyfp, false);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_clear(ncdirect* nc){
   if(!nc->tcache.clearscr){
     return -1; // FIXME scroll output off the screen
   }
-  return term_emit("clear", nc->tcache.clearscr, nc->ttyfp, true);
+  return term_emit(nc->tcache.clearscr, nc->ttyfp, true);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_dim_x(const ncdirect* nc){
@@ -126,14 +126,14 @@ int ncdirect_cursor_enable(ncdirect* nc){
   if(!nc->tcache.cnorm){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("cnorm", nc->tcache.cnorm, nc->ttyfp, true);
+  return term_emit(nc->tcache.cnorm, nc->ttyfp, true);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_cursor_disable(ncdirect* nc){
   if(!nc->tcache.civis){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("civis", nc->tcache.civis, nc->ttyfp, true);
+  return term_emit(nc->tcache.civis, nc->ttyfp, true);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_cursor_move_yx(ncdirect* n, int y, int x){
@@ -141,18 +141,18 @@ int ncdirect_cursor_move_yx(ncdirect* n, int y, int x){
     if(!n->tcache.hpa){
       return -1;
     }
-    return term_emit("hpa", tiparm(n->tcache.hpa, x), n->ttyfp, false);
+    return term_emit(tiparm(n->tcache.hpa, x), n->ttyfp, false);
   }else if(x == -1){ // keep column the same, vertical move only
     if(!n->tcache.vpa){
       return -1;
     }
-    return term_emit("vpa", tiparm(n->tcache.vpa, y), n->ttyfp, false);
+    return term_emit(tiparm(n->tcache.vpa, y), n->ttyfp, false);
   }
   if(n->tcache.cup){
-    return term_emit("cup", tiparm(n->tcache.cup, y, x), n->ttyfp, false);
+    return term_emit(tiparm(n->tcache.cup, y, x), n->ttyfp, false);
   }else if(n->tcache.vpa && n->tcache.hpa){
-    if(term_emit("hpa", tiparm(n->tcache.hpa, x), n->ttyfp, false) == 0 &&
-       term_emit("vpa", tiparm(n->tcache.vpa, y), n->ttyfp, false) == 0){
+    if(term_emit(tiparm(n->tcache.hpa, x), n->ttyfp, false) == 0 &&
+       term_emit(tiparm(n->tcache.vpa, y), n->ttyfp, false) == 0){
       return 0;
     }
   }
@@ -362,14 +362,14 @@ int ncdirect_cursor_push(ncdirect* n){
   if(n->tcache.sc == nullptr){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("sc", n->tcache.sc, n->ttyfp, false);
+  return term_emit(n->tcache.sc, n->ttyfp, false);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_cursor_pop(ncdirect* n){
   if(n->tcache.rc == nullptr){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("rc", n->tcache.rc, n->ttyfp, false);
+  return term_emit(n->tcache.rc, n->ttyfp, false);
 }
 
 static inline int
@@ -542,14 +542,14 @@ int ncdirect_set_fg_palindex(ncdirect* nc, int pidx){
   if(channels_set_fg_palindex(&nc->channels, pidx) < 0){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("setaf", tiparm(nc->tcache.setaf, pidx), nc->ttyfp, false);
+  return term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.setaf, pidx), nc->ttyfp, false);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_set_bg_palindex(ncdirect* nc, int pidx){
   if(channels_set_bg_palindex(&nc->channels, pidx) < 0){
     return -1;
   }
-  return term_emit("setab", tiparm(nc->tcache.setab, pidx), nc->ttyfp, false);
+  return term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.setab, pidx), nc->ttyfp, false);
 }
 
 int ncdirect_vprintf_aligned(ncdirect* n, int y, ncalign_e align, const char* fmt, va_list ap){
@@ -600,17 +600,17 @@ ncdirect_stop_minimal(void* vnc){
   if(nc->initialized_readline){
     rl_deprep_terminal();
   }
-  if(nc->tcache.op && term_emit("op", nc->tcache.op, nc->ttyfp, true)){
+  if(nc->tcache.op && term_emit(nc->tcache.op, nc->ttyfp, true)){
     ret = -1;
   }
-  if(nc->tcache.sgr0 && term_emit("sgr0", nc->tcache.sgr0, nc->ttyfp, true)){
+  if(nc->tcache.sgr0 && term_emit(nc->tcache.sgr0, nc->ttyfp, true)){
     ret = -1;
   }
-  if(nc->tcache.oc && term_emit("oc", nc->tcache.oc, nc->ttyfp, true)){
+  if(nc->tcache.oc && term_emit(nc->tcache.oc, nc->ttyfp, true)){
     ret = -1;
   }
   if(nc->ctermfd >= 0){
-    if(nc->tcache.cnorm && tty_emit("cnorm", nc->tcache.cnorm, nc->ctermfd)){
+    if(nc->tcache.cnorm && tty_emit(nc->tcache.cnorm, nc->ctermfd)){
       ret = -1;
     }
     ret |= tcsetattr(nc->ctermfd, TCSANOW, &nc->tpreserved);
@@ -709,16 +709,16 @@ static inline int
 ncdirect_style_emit(ncdirect* n, unsigned stylebits, FILE* out){
   int r = -1;
   if(stylebits == 0 && n->tcache.sgr0){
-    r = term_emit("sgr0", n->tcache.sgr0, n->ttyfp, false);
+    r = term_emit(n->tcache.sgr0, n->ttyfp, false);
   }else if(n->tcache.sgr){
-    r = term_emit("sgr", tiparm(n->tcache.sgr, stylebits & NCSTYLE_STANDOUT,
-                                stylebits & NCSTYLE_UNDERLINE,
-                                stylebits & NCSTYLE_REVERSE,
-                                stylebits & NCSTYLE_BLINK,
-                                stylebits & NCSTYLE_DIM,
-                                stylebits & NCSTYLE_BOLD,
-                                stylebits & NCSTYLE_INVIS,
-                                stylebits & NCSTYLE_PROTECT, 0), out, false);
+    r = term_emit(tiparm(n->tcache.sgr, stylebits & NCSTYLE_STANDOUT,
+                         stylebits & NCSTYLE_UNDERLINE,
+                         stylebits & NCSTYLE_REVERSE,
+                         stylebits & NCSTYLE_BLINK,
+                         stylebits & NCSTYLE_DIM,
+                         stylebits & NCSTYLE_BOLD,
+                         stylebits & NCSTYLE_INVIS,
+                         stylebits & NCSTYLE_PROTECT, 0), out, false);
   }
   // sgr resets colors, so set them back up if not defaults
   if(r == 0){
@@ -809,10 +809,10 @@ int ncdirect_set_fg_default(ncdirect* nc){
     return 0;
   }
   if(nc->tcache.fgop){
-    if(term_emit("fgop", nc->tcache.fgop, nc->ttyfp, false)){
+    if(term_emit(nc->tcache.fgop, nc->ttyfp, false)){
       return -1;
     }
-  }else if(term_emit("op", nc->tcache.op, nc->ttyfp, false) == 0){
+  }else if(term_emit(nc->tcache.op, nc->ttyfp, false) == 0){
     if(!ncdirect_bg_default_p(nc)){
       if(ncdirect_set_bg_rgb(nc, channels_bg_rgb(nc->channels))){
         return -1;
@@ -828,10 +828,10 @@ int ncdirect_set_bg_default(ncdirect* nc){
     return 0;
   }
   if(nc->tcache.bgop){
-    if(term_emit("bgop", nc->tcache.bgop, nc->ttyfp, false)){
+    if(term_emit(nc->tcache.bgop, nc->ttyfp, false)){
       return -1;
     }
-  }else if(term_emit("op", nc->tcache.op, nc->ttyfp, false) == 0){
+  }else if(term_emit(nc->tcache.op, nc->ttyfp, false) == 0){
     if(!ncdirect_fg_default_p(nc)){
       if(ncdirect_set_fg_rgb(nc, channels_fg_rgb(nc->channels))){
         return -1;
diff --git a/src/lib/internal.h b/src/lib/internal.h
index 98d92a1af..4e23be6f7 100644
--- a/src/lib/internal.h
+++ b/src/lib/internal.h
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ rgb_greyscale(int r, int g, int b){
 }
 
 static inline int
-tty_emit(const char* name __attribute__ ((unused)), const char* seq, int fd){
+tty_emit(const char* seq, int fd){
   if(!seq){
     return -1;
   }
@@ -523,27 +523,25 @@ tty_emit(const char* name __attribute__ ((unused)), const char* seq, int fd){
     }
   }while(written < slen);
   if(written < slen){
-//fprintf(stderr, "Error emitting %zub %s escape (%s)\n", strlen(seq), name, strerror(errno));
+//fprintf(stderr, "Error emitting %zub escape (%s)\n", strlen(seq), strerror(errno));
     return -1;
   }
   return 0;
 }
 
 static inline int
-term_emit(const char* name __attribute__ ((unused)), const char* seq,
-          FILE* out, bool flush){
+term_emit(const char* seq, FILE* out, bool flush){
   if(!seq){
     return -1;
   }
   if(fputs(seq, out) == EOF){
-//fprintf(stderr, "Error emitting %zub %s escape (%s)\n", strlen(seq), name, strerror(errno));
+//fprintf(stderr, "Error emitting %zub escape (%s)\n", strlen(seq), strerror(errno));
     return -1;
   }
   if(flush){
     while(fflush(out) == EOF){
       if(errno != EAGAIN){
-        fprintf(stderr, "Error flushing after %zub %s sequence (%s)\n",
-                strlen(seq), name, strerror(errno));
+        fprintf(stderr, "Error flushing after %zub sequence (%s)\n", strlen(seq), strerror(errno));
         return -1;
       }
     }
@@ -556,7 +554,7 @@ term_bg_palindex(const notcurses* nc, FILE* out, unsigned pal){
   if(nc->tcache.setab == NULL){
     return 0;
   }
-  return term_emit("setab", tiparm(nc->tcache.setab, pal), out, false);
+  return term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.setab, pal), out, false);
 }
 
 static inline int
@@ -564,7 +562,7 @@ term_fg_palindex(const notcurses* nc, FILE* out, unsigned pal){
   if(nc->tcache.setaf == NULL){
     return 0;
   }
-  return term_emit("setaf", tiparm(nc->tcache.setaf, pal), out, false);
+  return term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.setaf, pal), out, false);
 }
 
 static inline const char*
diff --git a/src/lib/notcurses.c b/src/lib/notcurses.c
index f96712817..e1857fe26 100644
--- a/src/lib/notcurses.c
+++ b/src/lib/notcurses.c
@@ -39,13 +39,13 @@ void notcurses_version_components(int* major, int* minor, int* patch, int* tweak
 static int
 reset_term_attributes(notcurses* nc){
   int ret = 0;
-  if(nc->tcache.op && term_emit("op", nc->tcache.op, nc->ttyfp, false)){
+  if(nc->tcache.op && term_emit(nc->tcache.op, nc->ttyfp, false)){
     ret = -1;
   }
-  if(nc->tcache.sgr0 && term_emit("sgr0", nc->tcache.sgr0, nc->ttyfp, false)){
+  if(nc->tcache.sgr0 && term_emit(nc->tcache.sgr0, nc->ttyfp, false)){
     ret = -1;
   }
-  if(nc->tcache.oc && term_emit("oc", nc->tcache.oc, nc->ttyfp, true)){
+  if(nc->tcache.oc && term_emit(nc->tcache.oc, nc->ttyfp, true)){
     ret = -1;
   }
   ret |= notcurses_mouse_disable(nc);
@@ -63,10 +63,10 @@ notcurses_stop_minimal(void* vnc){
   // they apply to the screen (alternate or otherwise) we're actually using.
   ret |= reset_term_attributes(nc);
   if(nc->ttyfd >= 0){
-    if(nc->tcache.rmcup && tty_emit("rmcup", nc->tcache.rmcup, nc->ttyfd)){
+    if(nc->tcache.rmcup && tty_emit(nc->tcache.rmcup, nc->ttyfd)){
       ret = -1;
     }
-    if(nc->tcache.cnorm && tty_emit("cnorm", nc->tcache.cnorm, nc->ttyfd)){
+    if(nc->tcache.cnorm && tty_emit(nc->tcache.cnorm, nc->ttyfd)){
       ret = -1;
     }
     ret |= tcsetattr(nc->ttyfd, TCSANOW, &nc->tpreserved);
@@ -811,7 +811,7 @@ init_banner(const notcurses* nc){
       fprintf(stderr, "\n Warning! Encoding is not UTF-8; output may be degraded.\n");
     }
     if(nc->tcache.sgr0){
-      term_emit("sgr0", nc->tcache.sgr0, stderr, true);
+      term_emit(nc->tcache.sgr0, stderr, true);
     }
   }
 }
@@ -1050,11 +1050,11 @@ notcurses* notcurses_core_init(const notcurses_options* opts, FILE* outfp){
     goto err;
   }
   if(ret->ttyfd >= 0){
-    if(ret->tcache.smkx && tty_emit("smkx", ret->tcache.smkx, ret->ttyfd)){
+    if(ret->tcache.smkx && tty_emit(ret->tcache.smkx, ret->ttyfd)){
       free_plane(ret->stdplane);
       goto err;
     }
-    if(ret->tcache.civis && tty_emit("civis", ret->tcache.civis, ret->ttyfd)){
+    if(ret->tcache.civis && tty_emit(ret->tcache.civis, ret->ttyfd)){
       free_plane(ret->stdplane);
       goto err;
     }
@@ -1068,19 +1068,19 @@ notcurses* notcurses_core_init(const notcurses_options* opts, FILE* outfp){
   // flush on the switch to alternate screen, lest initial output be swept away
   if(ret->ttyfd >= 0){
     if(ret->tcache.smcup){
-      if(tty_emit("smcup", ret->tcache.smcup, ret->ttyfd)){
+      if(tty_emit(ret->tcache.smcup, ret->ttyfd)){
         free_plane(ret->stdplane);
         goto err;
       }
       // explicit clear even though smcup *might* clear
-      if(tty_emit("clear", ret->tcache.clearscr, ret->ttyfd)){
+      if(tty_emit(ret->tcache.clearscr, ret->ttyfd)){
         notcurses_refresh(ret, NULL, NULL);
       }
     }else if(!(opts->flags & NCOPTION_NO_ALTERNATE_SCREEN)){
       // if they expected the alternate screen, but we didn't have one to
       // offer, at least clear the screen. try using "clear"; if that doesn't
       // fly, use notcurses_refresh() to force a clearing via iterated writes.
-      if(tty_emit("clear", ret->tcache.clearscr, ret->ttyfd)){
+      if(tty_emit(ret->tcache.clearscr, ret->ttyfd)){
         notcurses_refresh(ret, NULL, NULL);
       }
     }
@@ -1142,6 +1142,12 @@ int notcurses_stop(notcurses* nc){
     if(nc->rstate.mstreamfp){
       fclose(nc->rstate.mstreamfp);
     }
+    // if we were not using the alternate screen, our cursor's wherever we last
+    // wrote. move it to the bottom left of the screen.
+    if(!nc->tcache.smcup){
+      tty_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.hpa, 0), nc->ttyfd);
+      tty_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.vpa, nc->lfdimy - 1), nc->ttyfd);
+    }
     if(nc->ttyfd >= 0){
       ret |= close(nc->ttyfd);
     }
@@ -2026,7 +2032,7 @@ ncplane* ncplane_above(ncplane* n){
 #define SET_SGR_MODE_MOUSE    "1006"
 int notcurses_mouse_enable(notcurses* n){
   if(n->ttyfd >= 0){
-    return tty_emit("mouse", ESC "[?" SET_BTN_EVENT_MOUSE ";"
+    return tty_emit(ESC "[?" SET_BTN_EVENT_MOUSE ";"
                     /*SET_FOCUS_EVENT_MOUSE ";" */SET_SGR_MODE_MOUSE "h",
                     n->ttyfd);
   }
@@ -2037,7 +2043,7 @@ int notcurses_mouse_enable(notcurses* n){
 // the sequences 1000 etc?
 int notcurses_mouse_disable(notcurses* n){
   if(n->ttyfd >= 0){
-    return tty_emit("mouse", ESC "[?" SET_BTN_EVENT_MOUSE ";"
+    return tty_emit(ESC "[?" SET_BTN_EVENT_MOUSE ";"
                     /*SET_FOCUS_EVENT_MOUSE ";" */SET_SGR_MODE_MOUSE "l",
                     n->ttyfd);
   }
diff --git a/src/lib/render.c b/src/lib/render.c
index 9bcd5696b..75d26adad 100644
--- a/src/lib/render.c
+++ b/src/lib/render.c
@@ -609,11 +609,11 @@ int term_setstyle(FILE* out, unsigned cur, unsigned targ, unsigned stylebit,
   if(curon != targon){
     if(targon){
       if(ton){
-        ret = term_emit("ton", ton, out, false);
+        ret = term_emit(ton, out, false);
       }
     }else{
       if(toff){ // how did this happen? we can turn it on, but not off?
-        ret = term_emit("toff", toff, out, false);
+        ret = term_emit(toff, out, false);
       }
     }
   }
@@ -640,18 +640,18 @@ term_setstyles(FILE* out, uint32_t* curattr, const nccell* c, bool* normalized,
     *normalized = true; // FIXME this is pretty conservative
     // if everything's 0, emit the shorter sgr0
     if(sgr0 && ((cellattr & NCSTYLE_MASK) == 0)){
-      if(term_emit("sgr0", sgr0, out, false) < 0){
+      if(term_emit(sgr0, out, false) < 0){
         ret = -1;
       }
-    }else if(term_emit("sgr", tiparm(sgr, cellattr & NCSTYLE_STANDOUT,
-                                     cellattr & NCSTYLE_UNDERLINE,
-                                     cellattr & NCSTYLE_REVERSE,
-                                     cellattr & NCSTYLE_BLINK,
-                                     cellattr & NCSTYLE_DIM,
-                                     cellattr & NCSTYLE_BOLD,
-                                     cellattr & NCSTYLE_INVIS,
-                                     cellattr & NCSTYLE_PROTECT, 0),
-                                     out, false) < 0){
+    }else if(term_emit(tiparm(sgr, cellattr & NCSTYLE_STANDOUT,
+                              cellattr & NCSTYLE_UNDERLINE,
+                              cellattr & NCSTYLE_REVERSE,
+                              cellattr & NCSTYLE_BLINK,
+                              cellattr & NCSTYLE_DIM,
+                              cellattr & NCSTYLE_BOLD,
+                              cellattr & NCSTYLE_INVIS,
+                              cellattr & NCSTYLE_PROTECT, 0),
+                              out, false) < 0){
       ret = -1;
     }
     // sgr will blow away italics/struck if they were set beforehand
@@ -755,9 +755,9 @@ term_bg_rgb8(bool RGBflag, const char* setab, int colors, FILE* out,
     // a single screen, start... combining close ones? For 8-color mode, simple
     // interpolation. I have no idea what to do for 88 colors. FIXME
     if(colors >= 256){
-      return term_emit("setab", tiparm(setab, rgb_quantize_256(r, g, b)), out, false);
+      return term_emit(tiparm(setab, rgb_quantize_256(r, g, b)), out, false);
     }else if(colors >= 8){
-      return term_emit("setab", tiparm(setab, rgb_quantize_8(r, g, b)), out, false);
+      return term_emit(tiparm(setab, rgb_quantize_8(r, g, b)), out, false);
     }
   }
   return 0;
@@ -782,9 +782,9 @@ term_fg_rgb8(bool RGBflag, const char* setaf, int colors, FILE* out,
     // a single screen, start... combining close ones? For 8-color mode, simple
     // interpolation. I have no idea what to do for 88 colors. FIXME
     if(colors >= 256){
-      return term_emit("setaf", tiparm(setaf, rgb_quantize_256(r, g, b)), out, false);
+      return term_emit(tiparm(setaf, rgb_quantize_256(r, g, b)), out, false);
     }else if(colors >= 8){
-      return term_emit("setaf", tiparm(setaf, rgb_quantize_8(r, g, b)), out, false);
+      return term_emit(tiparm(setaf, rgb_quantize_8(r, g, b)), out, false);
     }
   }
   return 0;
@@ -802,7 +802,7 @@ update_palette(notcurses* nc, FILE* out){
         r = r * 1000 / 255;
         g = g * 1000 / 255;
         b = b * 1000 / 255;
-        term_emit("initc", tiparm(nc->tcache.initc, damageidx, r, g, b), out, false);
+        term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.initc, damageidx, r, g, b), out, false);
         nc->palette_damage[damageidx] = false;
       }
     }
@@ -827,13 +827,13 @@ goto_location(notcurses* nc, FILE* out, int y, int x){
       return 0;
     }
     if(x == nc->rstate.x + 1 && nc->tcache.cuf1){
-      ret = term_emit("cuf1", nc->tcache.cuf1, out, false);
+      ret = term_emit(nc->tcache.cuf1, out, false);
     }else{
-      ret = term_emit("hpa", tiparm(nc->tcache.hpa, x), out, false);
+      ret = term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.hpa, x), out, false);
     }
   }else{
     // cup is required, no need to check for existence
-    ret = term_emit("cup", tiparm(nc->tcache.cup, y, x), out, false);
+    ret = term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.cup, y, x), out, false);
   }
   if(ret == 0){
     nc->rstate.x = x;
@@ -855,7 +855,7 @@ raster_defaults(notcurses* nc, bool fgdef, bool bgdef, FILE* out){
     ++nc->stats.defaultelisions;
     return 0;
   }else if((mustsetfg && mustsetbg) || !nc->tcache.fgop){
-    if(term_emit("op", nc->tcache.op, out, false)){
+    if(term_emit(nc->tcache.op, out, false)){
       return -1;
     }
     nc->rstate.fgdefelidable = true;
@@ -865,14 +865,14 @@ raster_defaults(notcurses* nc, bool fgdef, bool bgdef, FILE* out){
     nc->rstate.fgpalelidable = false;
     nc->rstate.bgpalelidable = false;
   }else if(mustsetfg){
-    if(term_emit("fgop", nc->tcache.fgop, out, false)){
+    if(term_emit(nc->tcache.fgop, out, false)){
       return -1;
     }
     nc->rstate.fgdefelidable = true;
     nc->rstate.fgelidable = false;
     nc->rstate.fgpalelidable = false;
   }else{
-    if(term_emit("bgop", nc->tcache.bgop, out, false)){
+    if(term_emit(nc->tcache.bgop, out, false)){
       return -1;
     }
     nc->rstate.bgdefelidable = true;
@@ -1089,11 +1089,11 @@ static int
 home_cursor(notcurses* nc, bool flush){
   int ret = -1;
   if(nc->tcache.home){
-    ret = term_emit("home", nc->tcache.home, nc->ttyfp, flush);
+    ret = term_emit(nc->tcache.home, nc->ttyfp, flush);
   }else if(nc->tcache.cup){
-    ret = term_emit("cup", tiparm(nc->tcache.cup, 1, 1), nc->ttyfp, flush);
+    ret = term_emit(tiparm(nc->tcache.cup, 1, 1), nc->ttyfp, flush);
   }else if(nc->tcache.clearscr){
-    ret = term_emit("clear", nc->tcache.clearscr, nc->ttyfp, flush);
+    ret = term_emit(nc->tcache.clearscr, nc->ttyfp, flush);
   }
   if(ret >= 0){
     nc->rstate.x = 0;
@@ -1360,7 +1360,7 @@ int notcurses_cursor_enable(notcurses* nc, int y, int x){
     nc->cursorx = x;
     return 0;
   }
-  if(tty_emit("cnorm", nc->tcache.cnorm, nc->ttyfd) || fflush(nc->ttyfp) == EOF){
+  if(tty_emit(nc->tcache.cnorm, nc->ttyfd) || fflush(nc->ttyfp) == EOF){
     return -1;
   }
   nc->cursory = y;
@@ -1375,7 +1375,7 @@ int notcurses_cursor_disable(notcurses* nc){
   }
   if(nc->ttyfd >= 0){
     if(nc->tcache.civis){
-      if(!tty_emit("civis", nc->tcache.civis, nc->ttyfd) && !fflush(nc->ttyfp)){
+      if(!tty_emit(nc->tcache.civis, nc->ttyfd) && !fflush(nc->ttyfp)){
         nc->cursory = -1;
         nc->cursorx = -1;
         return 0;