This command works even when the mark is not active, and it reactivates
the mark unless `exchange-point-and-mark-highlight-region' is nil.
-If Transient Mark mode is on, a prefix ARG deactivates the mark
-if it is active, and otherwise avoids reactivating it. If
-Transient Mark mode is off, a prefix ARG enables Transient Mark
-mode temporarily."
+If Transient Mark mode is on, a prefix ARG deactivates the mark if it is
+active, and otherwise avoids reactivating it. However, if
+`exchange-point-and-mark-highlight-region' is nil, then using a prefix
+argument does reactivate the mark; effectively, when Transient Mark mode
+is on, setting `exchange-point-and-mark-highlight-region' to nil swaps
+the meanings of the presence and absence of a prefix argument.
+
+If Transient Mark mode is off, a prefix ARG enables Transient Mark mode
+temporarily."
(interactive "P")
(let ((omark (mark t))
(region-was-active (region-active-p))