diff --git a/runtime/syntax/ctrlh.vim b/runtime/syntax/ctrlh.vim
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..715c2c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runtime/syntax/ctrlh.vim
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+" Vim syntax file
+" Language:	CTRL-H (e.g., ASCII manpages)
+" Maintainer:	Bram Moolenaar <Bram@vim.org>
+" Last Change:	2001 Apr 25
+
+" Existing syntax is kept, this file can be used as an addition
+
+" Recognize underlined text: _^Hx
+syntax match CtrlHUnderline /_\b./  contains=CtrlHHide
+
+" Recognize bold text: x^Hx
+syntax match CtrlHBold /\(.\)\b\1/  contains=CtrlHHide
+
+" Hide the CTRL-H (backspace)
+syntax match CtrlHHide /.\b/  contained
+
+" Define the default highlighting.
+" For version 5.7 and earlier: only when not done already
+" For version 5.8 and later: only when an item doesn't have highlighting yet
+if version >= 508 || !exists("did_ctrlh_syntax_inits")
+  if version < 508
+    let did_ctrlh_syntax_inits = 1
+    hi link CtrlHHide Ignore
+    hi CtrlHUnderline term=underline cterm=underline gui=underline
+    hi CtrlHBold term=bold cterm=bold gui=bold
+  else
+    hi def link CtrlHHide Ignore
+    hi def CtrlHUnderline term=underline cterm=underline gui=underline
+    hi def CtrlHBold term=bold cterm=bold gui=bold
+  endif
+endif
+
+" vim: ts=8