You need the /ee modifier. The first /e changes $x to $1, and the next interpolates in the value in $1. You do not need to go qq("$x"). qq/foo/ is the same as "foo" so you effectively have "\"foo\"" You only need to go $x vis

$_=q(ab cdefg);
$x=q($1,);
s/(^\w+)/$x/ee;
print;
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cheers

tachyon

s&&rsenoyhcatreve&&&s&n.+t&"$'$`$\"$\&"&ee&&y&srve&&d&&print