https://github.com/ejmr/php-mode/blob/master/php-mode.el#L1331 ``` ;; Highlight special variables ("\\$\\(this\\|that\\)" 1 font-lock-constant-face) ``` This pattern matches any variable starting with `$this` or `$that`. e.g. `$this_item` has the `$this` part incorrectly highlighted. This particular instance is presumably fixed like so: ``` ("\\$\\(this\\|that\\)\\_>" 1 font-lock-constant-face) ``` I haven't tried to establish whether this is an isolated issue, or indicative of a more widespread problem.