       if /^--$/.test(arg)
         optend = true
       else if /^-$/.test(arg)
-        noopt = true
+        noopt = true # XXX prevents `-' from creating an empty option object
+        # when found on the command-line: e.g. `cat -'
+        # NOTE that `-' traditionally means READ FROM STDIN
+        # however, in the case of an option parser...
+        # well, I think that it's meaningless.
+        # we should never read from STDIN, as
+        # an option parser has no business doing so.
+        # although being able to echo options like so would be interesting:
+        # `echo -- '-vhx' | <PROGRAM USING BEBOPT>` lulz
       else
         if noopt
           null # do nothing

  # within the respective
  # option list, such as `@_long'
  _catchSpaceDelimArgs: (opt, list) =>
    if list[opt.arg].type isnt 'flag'
      if opt.optarg is undefined
        @_args.forEach((nonOpt, ind) =>

    @_log(@)
    @_opts.forEach((elem, ind) =>
      dashes = elem.arg.replace(/^(--?).*/, '$1').length # number of dashes
      elem.arg = elem.arg.replace(/^--?(.*)/, '$1')
      console.log elem
      if dashes is 2
        elem = @_catchSpaceDelimArgs(elem, @_long)
      else
        elem = @_optTypeError(elem, @_short)

    )
