It's also confusing me that

• watches list the actual node prior to context
• reply notifications list context prior to actual node

The problem is that the watcher code now — thanks to an earlier request to roll up multiple notifications — has to produce messages like the following:

• $user posted $node — this happens due to user follow.
• $user posted $note somewhere under $parent — this could be direct or any replies.
• $user posted $note; this hits multiple watcher criteria.

I abbreviated "somewhere under" as ">".

Can you suggest new wording for all of those so that they (a) convey the meaning intended by watcher and (b) have the desired consistency?