You're right, I misinterpreted the help file.

>\ outputs the carriage returns only before, the same as ?
>
>
>>Yes, this is normal behavior. Check \|\\ in help. \ echoes to the screen WITH carriage return before and after, \\ echoes WITHOUT the carriage returns.
>>
>>>

>>>* In command window:
>>>\All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
>>>\2000 * 3
>>>
>>>* echos the string
>>>

>>>Is this known behaviour? (I found it because of a typo)