running emacs on a terminal: problem with meta-key
I had this problems some time ago. Turns out your Terminal app is configured to not use option as meta key. I'm running Mavericks and this is the default setting. 

All you have to do is open your Terminal app, click on the Terminal &gt; Preferences &gt; Settings &gt; *Whatever profile you use* &gt; Keyboard, mark the option "Use option as meta key"