Woops, you're correct. I got confused by `isdefined`, `isconst`, and `getfield`'s behavior. I'm still not sure I agree with you though.

`print_with_color` immediately uses the color symbol as a key to lookup the color (which makes sense). `uv_error` immediately converts the symbol into a string (and only 1 call in base uses the symbol call method, everything else just calls with a string). I can't seem to find `normalize_output` in either the documentation, or grepping my Base library. 

In contrast `isdefined` takes a symbol, and determines if there is a variable of the same name. `isconst` takes a symbol and determines if there is a variable with that name that is constant. `getfield` takes a module or a type and a symbol, and returns the corresponding object of the same name. Other uses of symbols in the stdlib are to reference functions in a ccall, or to 

Sorry I'm making such a fuss about this, If you really feel that a symbol is the best thing here, then I'll change it. But I'm not sure that it is, as it doesn't (IMO) seem to fit the use case of symbols in the standard library. But again, I'm new at this language, so you're the best judge.