(unsafe-system (apply string-join " " (mapcar shellquote argv))))

  ;; if you pass symbols in, they will be appended to the command line
  ;; un-shellquoted. for example: (system "false" '2> "/dev/null")
  (label ((shellquote-string
           (lambda (x) (cond ((stringp x) (shellquote x))
                             ((symbolp x) (sprintf "%s" x))))))
         (let* ((words (mapcar shellquote-string argv))
                (command (apply string-join " " words)))
           (cond (*show-system-command*
                  (apply *show-system-command* argv)))
           (unsafe-system command))))