bug#10019: sort options -Mn are incompatible

[Paul Eggert]

On 11/12/11 05:54, Eric Blake wrote:
>   -k --key=KEYDEF  control where a key starts and ends, and give
>                    ordering specific to the key. See KEYDEF below.
>
> KEYDEF is F[.C][OPTS][,F[.C][OPTS]], where F is a field number and C
> a character position in the field; both are origin 1.  If the second
> position is omitted, the key runs to the end of the line.  If neither
> -t nor -b is in effect, characters in a field are counted from the
> beginning of the preceding whitespace.  OPTS is one or more
> single-letter ordering options [bdfgiMhnRrV], which override global
> ordering options for that key.  If no key is given, use the entire line
> as the key.

That's nicer, but a bit longer.  How about this attempt to shorten its
first two sentences?

    -k, --key=KEYDEF          sort via a key; KEYDEF gives location and type

  ...

  KEYDEF is F[.C][OPTS][,F[.C][OPTS]], where F is a field number and C a
  character position in the field; both are origin 1, and the key's end
  defaults to the line's end.

with the remainder as before.