Q:

Postgres quoted macro syntax error

Attempting to use a quoted psql SET value:
 $ psql db_name -v x=y
 => select :x;
 ERROR: column "y" does not exist # this is correct and expected
  => select UPPER(:'x');
 ERROR:  syntax error at or near ":"
 LINE 1: select UPPER(:'x');

that last query should return 
  upper
----------
 Y
(1 row)

but doesn't on one box but not another? (Not sure what this kind of SET value use is referred to as).

A:

Turns out my client version was old:
# psql --version
psql (PostgreSQL) 8.4.20
contains support for command-line editing

Needed a 9.x client version.  Pesky old distros :\

