diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4931d43..0362149 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ Whether or not they output the proper machine code is another thing.
 
 In order of numerical value, with intended usage:
 
-* R0: always zero; cannot be changed. 'zero' is an acceptable alias.
+* ZERO: always zero; cannot be changed.
 
 * AT: assembler temporary. used by various pseudo-instructions.
   user may use freely if they're wary.
@@ -196,8 +196,9 @@ In order of numerical value, with intended usage:
 
 * RA: subroutine return address.
 
-* REG#: whereas # is a decimal number from 0 to 31.
-aliased to the appropriate register. eg: REG0 is R0, REG1 is at, REG2 is V0.
+* R#: whereas # is a decimal number from 0 to 31.
+aliased to the appropriate register, for instance:
+R0 is ZERO, R1 is at, R2 is V0, etc.
 
 * F#: coprocessor 1 registers, whereas # is a decimal number from 0 to 31.
 
diff --git a/lips/data.lua b/lips/data.lua
index 3969d22..b6221c1 100644
--- a/lips/data.lua
+++ b/lips/data.lua
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ local data = {}
 
 data.registers = {
     [0]=
-    'R0', 'AT', 'V0', 'V1', 'A0', 'A1', 'A2', 'A3',
-    'T0', 'T1', 'T2', 'T3', 'T4', 'T5', 'T6', 'T7',
-    'S0', 'S1', 'S2', 'S3', 'S4', 'S5', 'S6', 'S7',
-    'T8', 'T9', 'K0', 'K1', 'GP', 'SP', 'FP', 'RA',
+    'ZERO', 'AT', 'V0', 'V1', 'A0', 'A1', 'A2', 'A3',
+    'T0',   'T1', 'T2', 'T3', 'T4', 'T5', 'T6', 'T7',
+    'S0',   'S1', 'S2', 'S3', 'S4', 'S5', 'S6', 'S7',
+    'T8',   'T9', 'K0', 'K1', 'GP', 'SP', 'FP', 'RA',
 }
 
 data.sys_registers = {
@@ -70,13 +70,11 @@ revtable(data.all_registers)
 revtable(data.all_directives)
 
 -- alternate register names
-data.registers['ZERO'] = 0
-data.all_registers['ZERO'] = 0
 data.registers['S8'] = 30
 data.all_registers['S8'] = 30
 
 for i=0, 31 do
-    local r = 'REG'..tostring(i)
+    local r = 'R'..tostring(i)
     data.registers[r] = i
     data.all_registers[r] = i
 end