best way to use emphasis within code?

[Jeremy C. Reed]

On Thu, 4 Jan 2007, Andrea Censi wrote:


> > I want to use fixed font like a code block but also use italics and bold

> > at same time.

> >

> > For example in HTML:

> >

> > <tt>$ <b>mail -u <i>user</i></b></tt>

> 

> Just an idea that strucked me.

> If we had a syntax for creating SPANSs, he could write:

> 

> ===

> And now type this: {$ **mail -u _user_**}{in} and then type

> {$ cd .. }{1}

> 

> {1}: style=font-family:fixed


My problem with that is it is becomming less readable.

I'd hope that dumping most Markdown content in a plain text reader should 
be easily and quickly readable.