diff --git a/IPython/config/default/ipython_config.py b/IPython/config/default/ipython_config.py
index 0047d2e..413c1e3 100644
--- a/IPython/config/default/ipython_config.py
+++ b/IPython/config/default/ipython_config.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ c.Global.log_level = 20
 
 # c.InteractiveShell.logfile = 'ipython_log.py'
 
-# c.InteractiveShell.logplay = 'mylog.py'
+# c.InteractiveShell.logappend = 'mylog.py'
 
 # c.InteractiveShell.object_info_string_level = 0
 
diff --git a/IPython/core/ipapp.py b/IPython/core/ipapp.py
index 9e56c3b..b8540c5 100644
--- a/IPython/core/ipapp.py
+++ b/IPython/core/ipapp.py
@@ -166,13 +166,13 @@ cl_args = (
     ),
     (('-logfile','-lf'), dict(
         type=str, dest='InteractiveShell.logfile', default=NoConfigDefault,
-        help="Specify the name of your logfile.",
+        help="Start logging to logfile.",
         metavar='InteractiveShell.logfile')
     ),
-    (('-logplay','-lp'), dict(
-        type=str, dest='InteractiveShell.logplay', default=NoConfigDefault,
-        help="Re-play a log file and then append to it.",
-        metavar='InteractiveShell.logplay')
+    (('-logappend','-la'), dict(
+        type=str, dest='InteractiveShell.logappend', default=NoConfigDefault,
+        help="Start logging to logappend in append mode.",
+        metavar='InteractiveShell.logfile')
     ),
     (('-pdb',), dict(
         action='store_true', dest='InteractiveShell.pdb', default=NoConfigDefault,
diff --git a/IPython/core/iplib.py b/IPython/core/iplib.py
index c1bc026..cbcce45 100644
--- a/IPython/core/iplib.py
+++ b/IPython/core/iplib.py
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ class InteractiveShell(Component, Magic):
     ipythondir= Unicode('', config=True) # Set to get_ipython_dir() in __init__
     logstart = CBool(False, config=True)
     logfile = Str('', config=True)
-    logplay = Str('', config=True)
+    logappend = Str('', config=True)
     object_info_string_level = Enum((0,1,2), default_value=0,
                                     config=True)
     pager = Str('less', config=True)
@@ -466,20 +466,10 @@ class InteractiveShell(Component, Magic):
         self.logger = Logger(self, logfname='ipython_log.py', logmode='rotate')
         # local shortcut, this is used a LOT
         self.log = self.logger.log
-        # template for logfile headers.  It gets resolved at runtime by the
-        # logstart method.
-        self.loghead_tpl = \
-"""#log# Automatic Logger file. *** THIS MUST BE THE FIRST LINE ***
-#log# DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINE OR THE TWO BELOW
-#log# opts = %s
-#log# args = %s
-#log# It is safe to make manual edits below here.
-#log#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-"""
 
     def init_logstart(self):
-        if self.logplay:
-            self.magic_logstart(self.logplay + ' append')
+        if self.logappend:
+            self.magic_logstart(self.logappend + ' append')
         elif self.logfile:
             self.magic_logstart(self.logfile)
         elif self.logstart:
diff --git a/IPython/core/magic.py b/IPython/core/magic.py
index 678e2b0..d06c9ab 100644
--- a/IPython/core/magic.py
+++ b/IPython/core/magic.py
@@ -1154,10 +1154,8 @@ Currently the magic system has the following functions:\n"""
         if logfname:
             logfname = os.path.expanduser(logfname)
         self.shell.logfile = logfname
-        # TODO: we need to re-think how logs with args/opts are replayed
-        # and tracked.
-        # loghead = self.shell.loghead_tpl % (rc.opts,rc.args)
-        loghead = self.shell.loghead_tpl % ('','')
+
+        loghead = '# IPython log file\n\n'
         try:
             started  = logger.logstart(logfname,loghead,logmode,
                                        log_output,timestamp,log_raw_input)