Particularly when juxtaposed with the associated @var{value} which gets
a different font.  Should I make the change regardless?

FWIW, there are several existing places that use @var{:keyword} or
similar.

>>  For example, @code{python-mode} sets this variable to a regexp that
>> -matches either @code{"function_definition"} or @code{"class_definition"}.
>> +matches either @code{function_definition} or @code{class_definition}.
>
> It is better to use @samp here, not @code.  That way, you get the
> quotes in the printed output.

Done.

Thanks,

-- 
Basil