diff --git a/crates/nu-parser/src/parse_keywords.rs b/crates/nu-parser/src/parse_keywords.rs
index dc01bc14a2..ffe466e016 100644
--- a/crates/nu-parser/src/parse_keywords.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-parser/src/parse_keywords.rs
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ pub fn parse_for(
                     Expression {
                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                         span: call_span,
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     },
                     err,
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ pub fn parse_for(
         Expression {
             expr: Expr::Call(call),
             span: call_span,
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         },
         error,
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ pub fn parse_def(
                     Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                         span: call_span,
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     }]),
                     err,
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ pub fn parse_def(
         Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
             expr: Expr::Call(call),
             span: call_span,
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         }]),
         error,
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ pub fn parse_extern(
         Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
             expr: Expr::Call(call),
             span: call_span,
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         }]),
         error,
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ pub fn parse_alias(
                 Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                     expr: Expr::Call(call),
                     span: span(spans),
-                    ty: Type::Unknown,
+                    ty: Type::Any,
                     custom_completion: None,
                 }]),
                 err,
@@ -989,7 +989,7 @@ pub fn parse_export(
         Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
             expr: Expr::Call(call),
             span: span(spans),
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         }]),
         exportable,
@@ -1194,7 +1194,7 @@ pub fn parse_module(
             Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                 expr: Expr::Call(call),
                 span: span(spans),
-                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                ty: Type::Any,
                 custom_completion: None,
             }]),
             error,
@@ -1244,7 +1244,7 @@ pub fn parse_use(
                     Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                         span: call_span,
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     }]),
                     err,
@@ -1311,7 +1311,7 @@ pub fn parse_use(
                             Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                                 expr: Expr::Call(call),
                                 span: call_span,
-                                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                                ty: Type::Any,
                                 custom_completion: None,
                             }]),
                             Some(ParseError::ModuleNotFound(spans[1])),
@@ -1350,7 +1350,7 @@ pub fn parse_use(
                             Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                                 expr: Expr::Call(call),
                                 span: call_span,
-                                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                                ty: Type::Any,
                                 custom_completion: None,
                             }]),
                             Some(ParseError::ModuleNotFound(spans[1])),
@@ -1432,7 +1432,7 @@ pub fn parse_use(
         Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
             expr: Expr::Call(call),
             span: span(spans),
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         }]),
         error,
@@ -1473,7 +1473,7 @@ pub fn parse_hide(
                     Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                         span: call_span,
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     }]),
                     err,
@@ -1640,7 +1640,7 @@ pub fn parse_hide(
             Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                 expr: Expr::Call(call),
                 span: span(spans),
-                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                ty: Type::Any,
                 custom_completion: None,
             }]),
             error,
@@ -1725,7 +1725,7 @@ pub fn parse_let(
                             Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                                 expr: Expr::Call(call),
                                 span: nu_protocol::span(spans),
-                                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                                ty: Type::Any,
                                 custom_completion: None,
                             }]),
                             error,
@@ -1746,7 +1746,7 @@ pub fn parse_let(
                     expressions: vec![Expression {
                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                         span: nu_protocol::span(spans),
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     }],
                 },
@@ -1790,7 +1790,7 @@ pub fn parse_source(
                     Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                         span: span(spans),
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     }]),
                     error,
@@ -1820,7 +1820,7 @@ pub fn parse_source(
                                     Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                                         span: span(&spans[1..]),
-                                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                                        ty: Type::Any,
                                         custom_completion: None,
                                     }]),
                                     // Return the file parse error
@@ -1837,7 +1837,7 @@ pub fn parse_source(
                                 call_with_block.positional.push(Expression {
                                     expr: Expr::Int(block_id as i64),
                                     span: spans[1],
-                                    ty: Type::Unknown,
+                                    ty: Type::Any,
                                     custom_completion: None,
                                 });
 
@@ -1845,7 +1845,7 @@ pub fn parse_source(
                                     Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                                         expr: Expr::Call(call_with_block),
                                         span: span(spans),
-                                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                                        ty: Type::Any,
                                         custom_completion: None,
                                     }]),
                                     None,
@@ -1863,7 +1863,7 @@ pub fn parse_source(
                 Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                     expr: Expr::Call(call),
                     span: span(spans),
-                    ty: Type::Unknown,
+                    ty: Type::Any,
                     custom_completion: None,
                 }]),
                 error,
@@ -1932,7 +1932,7 @@ pub fn parse_register(
                     Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                         span: call_span,
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     }]),
                     err,
@@ -2034,7 +2034,7 @@ pub fn parse_register(
                     Pipeline::from_vec(vec![Expression {
                         expr: Expr::Call(call),
                         span: call_span,
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     }]),
                     Some(err),
diff --git a/crates/nu-parser/src/parser.rs b/crates/nu-parser/src/parser.rs
index 4d6f50dad7..d5dc6264ea 100644
--- a/crates/nu-parser/src/parser.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-parser/src/parser.rs
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ pub fn parse_external_call(
         Expression {
             expr: Expr::ExternalCall(head, args),
             span: span(spans),
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         },
         error,
@@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ pub fn parse_multispan_value(
                             Box::new(Expression::garbage(arg_span)),
                         ),
                         span: arg_span,
-                        ty: Type::Unknown,
+                        ty: Type::Any,
                         custom_completion: None,
                     },
                     error,
@@ -1008,7 +1008,7 @@ pub fn parse_call(
             Expression {
                 expr: Expr::Call(call),
                 span: span(spans),
-                ty: Type::Unknown, // FIXME: calls should have known output types
+                ty: Type::Any, // FIXME: calls should have known output types
                 custom_completion: None,
             },
             err,
@@ -1615,7 +1615,7 @@ pub fn parse_variable_expr(
             Expression {
                 expr: Expr::Var(nu_protocol::NU_VARIABLE_ID),
                 span,
-                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                ty: Type::Any,
                 custom_completion: None,
             },
             None,
@@ -1625,7 +1625,7 @@ pub fn parse_variable_expr(
             Expression {
                 expr: Expr::Var(nu_protocol::IN_VARIABLE_ID),
                 span,
-                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                ty: Type::Any,
                 custom_completion: None,
             },
             None,
@@ -1635,7 +1635,7 @@ pub fn parse_variable_expr(
             Expression {
                 expr: Expr::Var(nu_protocol::CONFIG_VARIABLE_ID),
                 span,
-                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                ty: Type::Any,
                 custom_completion: None,
             },
             None,
@@ -1645,7 +1645,7 @@ pub fn parse_variable_expr(
             Expression {
                 expr: Expr::Var(nu_protocol::ENV_VARIABLE_ID),
                 span,
-                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                ty: Type::Any,
                 custom_completion: None,
             },
             None,
@@ -1782,7 +1782,7 @@ pub fn parse_full_cell_path(
                 Expression {
                     expr: Expr::Subexpression(block_id),
                     span: head_span,
-                    ty: Type::Unknown, // FIXME
+                    ty: Type::Any, // FIXME
                     custom_completion: None,
                 },
                 true,
@@ -1819,7 +1819,7 @@ pub fn parse_full_cell_path(
                 Expression {
                     expr: Expr::Var(var_id),
                     span: Span::new(0, 0),
-                    ty: Type::Unknown,
+                    ty: Type::Any,
                     custom_completion: None,
                 },
                 false,
@@ -1842,7 +1842,7 @@ pub fn parse_full_cell_path(
             (
                 Expression {
                     expr: Expr::FullCellPath(Box::new(FullCellPath { head, tail })),
-                    ty: Type::Unknown,
+                    ty: Type::Any,
                     span: full_cell_span,
                     custom_completion: None,
                 },
@@ -2565,11 +2565,11 @@ pub fn parse_type(_working_set: &StateWorkingSet, bytes: &[u8]) -> Type {
         b"date" => Type::Date,
         b"filesize" => Type::Filesize,
         b"number" => Type::Number,
-        b"table" => Type::Table,
+        b"table" => Type::Table(vec![]), //FIXME
         b"error" => Type::Error,
         b"binary" => Type::Binary,
 
-        _ => Type::Unknown,
+        _ => Type::Any,
     }
 }
 
@@ -2746,13 +2746,13 @@ pub fn parse_var_with_opt_type(
             let id = working_set.add_variable(
                 bytes[0..(bytes.len() - 1)].to_vec(),
                 spans[*spans_idx],
-                Type::Unknown,
+                Type::Any,
             );
             (
                 Expression {
                     expr: Expr::VarDecl(id),
                     span: spans[*spans_idx],
-                    ty: Type::Unknown,
+                    ty: Type::Any,
                     custom_completion: None,
                 },
                 Some(ParseError::MissingType(spans[*spans_idx])),
@@ -2763,23 +2763,20 @@ pub fn parse_var_with_opt_type(
             Expression {
                 expr: Expr::Var(CONFIG_VARIABLE_ID),
                 span: spans[*spans_idx],
-                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                ty: Type::Any,
                 custom_completion: None,
             },
             None,
         )
     } else {
-        let id = working_set.add_variable(
-            bytes,
-            span(&spans[*spans_idx..*spans_idx + 1]),
-            Type::Unknown,
-        );
+        let id =
+            working_set.add_variable(bytes, span(&spans[*spans_idx..*spans_idx + 1]), Type::Any);
 
         (
             Expression {
                 expr: Expr::VarDecl(id),
                 span: span(&spans[*spans_idx..*spans_idx + 1]),
-                ty: Type::Unknown,
+                ty: Type::Any,
                 custom_completion: None,
             },
             None,
@@ -2812,7 +2809,7 @@ pub fn parse_row_condition(
     spans: &[Span],
     expand_aliases_denylist: &[usize],
 ) -> (Expression, Option<ParseError>) {
-    let var_id = working_set.add_variable(b"$it".to_vec(), span(spans), Type::Unknown);
+    let var_id = working_set.add_variable(b"$it".to_vec(), span(spans), Type::Any);
     let (expression, err) =
         parse_math_expression(working_set, spans, Some(var_id), expand_aliases_denylist);
     let span = span(spans);
@@ -2973,7 +2970,7 @@ pub fn parse_signature_helper(
                                 let long = String::from_utf8_lossy(&flags[0][2..]).to_string();
                                 let variable_name = flags[0][2..].to_vec();
                                 let var_id =
-                                    working_set.add_variable(variable_name, span, Type::Unknown);
+                                    working_set.add_variable(variable_name, span, Type::Any);
 
                                 if flags.len() == 1 {
                                     args.push(Arg::Flag(Flag {
@@ -3003,11 +3000,8 @@ pub fn parse_signature_helper(
                                     let chars: Vec<char> = short_flag.chars().collect();
                                     let long = String::from_utf8_lossy(&flags[0][2..]).to_string();
                                     let variable_name = flags[0][2..].to_vec();
-                                    let var_id = working_set.add_variable(
-                                        variable_name,
-                                        span,
-                                        Type::Unknown,
-                                    );
+                                    let var_id =
+                                        working_set.add_variable(variable_name, span, Type::Any);
 
                                     if chars.len() == 1 {
                                         args.push(Arg::Flag(Flag {
@@ -3042,7 +3036,7 @@ pub fn parse_signature_helper(
                                 let len = chars[0].encode_utf8(&mut encoded_var_name).len();
                                 let variable_name = encoded_var_name[0..len].to_vec();
                                 let var_id =
-                                    working_set.add_variable(variable_name, span, Type::Unknown);
+                                    working_set.add_variable(variable_name, span, Type::Any);
 
                                 args.push(Arg::Flag(Flag {
                                     arg: None,
@@ -3100,8 +3094,7 @@ pub fn parse_signature_helper(
                                 let contents: Vec<_> = contents[..(contents.len() - 1)].into();
                                 let name = String::from_utf8_lossy(&contents).to_string();
 
-                                let var_id =
-                                    working_set.add_variable(contents, span, Type::Unknown);
+                                let var_id = working_set.add_variable(contents, span, Type::Any);
 
                                 // Positional arg, optional
                                 args.push(Arg::Positional(
@@ -3119,7 +3112,7 @@ pub fn parse_signature_helper(
                                 let contents_vec: Vec<u8> = contents.to_vec();
 
                                 let var_id =
-                                    working_set.add_variable(contents_vec, span, Type::Unknown);
+                                    working_set.add_variable(contents_vec, span, Type::Any);
 
                                 args.push(Arg::RestPositional(PositionalArg {
                                     desc: String::new(),
@@ -3133,7 +3126,7 @@ pub fn parse_signature_helper(
                                 let contents_vec = contents.to_vec();
 
                                 let var_id =
-                                    working_set.add_variable(contents_vec, span, Type::Unknown);
+                                    working_set.add_variable(contents_vec, span, Type::Any);
 
                                 // Positional arg, required
                                 args.push(Arg::Positional(
@@ -3200,7 +3193,7 @@ pub fn parse_signature_helper(
                                         let var_id = var_id.expect("internal error: all custom parameters must have var_ids");
                                         let var_type = &working_set.get_variable(var_id).ty;
                                         match var_type {
-                                            Type::Unknown => {
+                                            Type::Any => {
                                                 working_set.set_variable_type(
                                                     var_id,
                                                     expression.ty.clone(),
@@ -3248,7 +3241,7 @@ pub fn parse_signature_helper(
                                         // Flags with a boolean type are just present/not-present switches
                                         if var_type != &Type::Bool {
                                             match var_type {
-                                                Type::Unknown => {
+                                                Type::Any => {
                                                     *arg = Some(expression_ty.to_shape());
                                                     working_set
                                                         .set_variable_type(var_id, expression_ty);
@@ -3403,7 +3396,7 @@ pub fn parse_list_expression(
 
                 if let Some(ref ctype) = contained_type {
                     if *ctype != arg.ty {
-                        contained_type = Some(Type::Unknown);
+                        contained_type = Some(Type::Any);
                     }
                 } else {
                     contained_type = Some(arg.ty.clone());
@@ -3423,7 +3416,7 @@ pub fn parse_list_expression(
             ty: Type::List(Box::new(if let Some(ty) = contained_type {
                 ty
             } else {
-                Type::Unknown
+                Type::Any
             })),
             custom_completion: None,
         },
@@ -3466,7 +3459,7 @@ pub fn parse_table_expression(
             Expression {
                 expr: Expr::List(vec![]),
                 span: original_span,
-                ty: Type::List(Box::new(Type::Unknown)),
+                ty: Type::List(Box::new(Type::Any)),
                 custom_completion: None,
             },
             None,
@@ -3538,7 +3531,7 @@ pub fn parse_table_expression(
                 Expression {
                     expr: Expr::Table(table_headers, rows),
                     span: original_span,
-                    ty: Type::Table,
+                    ty: Type::Table(vec![]), //FIXME
                     custom_completion: None,
                 },
                 error,
@@ -3995,7 +3988,7 @@ pub fn parse_operator(
         Expression {
             expr: Expr::Operator(operator),
             span,
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         },
         None,
@@ -4403,7 +4396,7 @@ pub fn parse_expression(
                 Expression {
                     expr: Expr::List(env_vars),
                     span: span(&spans[..pos]),
-                    ty: Type::Unknown,
+                    ty: Type::Any,
                     custom_completion: None,
                 },
                 Expression {
@@ -4428,7 +4421,7 @@ pub fn parse_expression(
                     expr,
                     custom_completion: None,
                     span: span(spans),
-                    ty: Type::Unknown,
+                    ty: Type::Any,
                 },
                 err,
             )
@@ -4575,7 +4568,7 @@ pub fn parse_record(
         Expression {
             expr: Expr::Record(output),
             span,
-            ty: Type::Unknown, //FIXME: but we don't know the contents of the fields, do we?
+            ty: Type::Any, //FIXME: but we don't know the contents of the fields, do we?
             custom_completion: None,
         },
         error,
@@ -4989,7 +4982,7 @@ fn wrap_expr_with_collect(working_set: &mut StateWorkingSet, expr: &Expression)
         output.push(Expression {
             expr: Expr::Block(block_id),
             span,
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         });
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-parser/src/type_check.rs b/crates/nu-parser/src/type_check.rs
index 22184e239c..8d9cf20fa2 100644
--- a/crates/nu-parser/src/type_check.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-parser/src/type_check.rs
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ pub fn type_compatible(lhs: &Type, rhs: &Type) -> bool {
         (Type::List(c), Type::List(d)) => type_compatible(c, d),
         (Type::Number, Type::Int) => true,
         (Type::Number, Type::Float) => true,
-        (Type::Unknown, _) => true,
-        (_, Type::Unknown) => true,
+        (Type::Any, _) => true,
+        (_, Type::Any) => true,
         (lhs, rhs) => lhs == rhs,
     }
 }
@@ -35,13 +35,13 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Duration, Type::Duration) => (Type::Duration, None),
                 (Type::Filesize, Type::Filesize) => (Type::Filesize, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Unknown, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Unknown, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Any, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Any, None),
                 (Type::Int, _) => {
                     let ty = rhs.ty.clone();
                     *rhs = Expression::garbage(rhs.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -74,12 +74,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Duration, Type::Duration) => (Type::Duration, None),
                 (Type::Filesize, Type::Filesize) => (Type::Filesize, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Unknown, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Unknown, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Any, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Any, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -101,12 +101,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Duration, Type::Int) => (Type::Filesize, None),
                 (Type::Int, Type::Duration) => (Type::Filesize, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Unknown, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Unknown, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Any, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Any, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -123,12 +123,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Int, Type::Float) => (Type::Float, None),
                 (Type::Float, Type::Float) => (Type::Float, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Unknown, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Unknown, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Any, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Any, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -150,12 +150,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Filesize, Type::Int) => (Type::Filesize, None),
                 (Type::Duration, Type::Int) => (Type::Duration, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Unknown, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Unknown, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Any, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Any, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -169,12 +169,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
             Operator::And | Operator::Or => match (&lhs.ty, &rhs.ty) {
                 (Type::Bool, Type::Bool) => (Type::Bool, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Unknown, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Unknown, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Any, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Any, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -193,12 +193,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Duration, Type::Duration) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 (Type::Filesize, Type::Filesize) => (Type::Bool, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -217,12 +217,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Duration, Type::Duration) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 (Type::Filesize, Type::Filesize) => (Type::Bool, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -241,12 +241,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Duration, Type::Duration) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 (Type::Filesize, Type::Filesize) => (Type::Bool, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -265,12 +265,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::Duration, Type::Duration) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 (Type::Filesize, Type::Filesize) => (Type::Bool, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -285,12 +285,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
             Operator::NotEqual => (Type::Bool, None),
             Operator::Contains => match (&lhs.ty, &rhs.ty) {
                 (Type::String, Type::String) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -303,12 +303,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
             },
             Operator::NotContains => match (&lhs.ty, &rhs.ty) {
                 (Type::String, Type::String) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -321,12 +321,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
             },
             Operator::StartsWith => match (&lhs.ty, &rhs.ty) {
                 (Type::String, Type::String) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -343,12 +343,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::String, Type::String) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 (Type::String, Type::Record(_)) => (Type::Bool, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -365,12 +365,12 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
                 (Type::String, Type::String) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 (Type::String, Type::Record(_)) => (Type::Bool, None),
 
-                (Type::Unknown, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
-                (_, Type::Unknown) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (Type::Any, _) => (Type::Bool, None),
+                (_, Type::Any) => (Type::Bool, None),
                 _ => {
                     *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
                     (
-                        Type::Unknown,
+                        Type::Any,
                         Some(ParseError::UnsupportedOperation(
                             op.span,
                             lhs.span,
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ pub fn math_result_type(
             *op = Expression::garbage(op.span);
 
             (
-                Type::Unknown,
+                Type::Any,
                 Some(ParseError::IncompleteMathExpression(op.span)),
             )
         }
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/ast/expression.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/ast/expression.rs
index a0c4d034f1..b0e92fec7f 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/ast/expression.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/ast/expression.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ impl Expression {
         Expression {
             expr: Expr::Garbage,
             span,
-            ty: Type::Unknown,
+            ty: Type::Any,
             custom_completion: None,
         }
     }
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/engine/engine_state.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/engine/engine_state.rs
index bf870a8b1d..a017779389 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/engine/engine_state.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/engine/engine_state.rs
@@ -192,11 +192,11 @@ impl EngineState {
             files: im::vector![],
             file_contents: im::vector![],
             vars: im::vector![
-                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Unknown),
-                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Unknown),
-                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Unknown),
-                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Unknown),
-                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Unknown)
+                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Any),
+                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Any),
+                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Any),
+                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Any),
+                Variable::new(Span::new(0, 0), Type::Any)
             ],
             decls: im::vector![],
             aliases: im::vector![],
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/syntax_shape.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/syntax_shape.rs
index ebc8d5c51d..645bc9ca9e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/syntax_shape.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/syntax_shape.rs
@@ -96,37 +96,37 @@ pub enum SyntaxShape {
 impl SyntaxShape {
     pub fn to_type(&self) -> Type {
         match self {
-            SyntaxShape::Any => Type::Unknown,
+            SyntaxShape::Any => Type::Any,
             SyntaxShape::Block(_) => Type::Block,
             SyntaxShape::Binary => Type::Binary,
-            SyntaxShape::CellPath => Type::Unknown,
+            SyntaxShape::CellPath => Type::Any,
             SyntaxShape::Custom(custom, _) => custom.to_type(),
             SyntaxShape::DateTime => Type::Date,
             SyntaxShape::Duration => Type::Duration,
-            SyntaxShape::Expression => Type::Unknown,
+            SyntaxShape::Expression => Type::Any,
             SyntaxShape::Filepath => Type::String,
             SyntaxShape::Filesize => Type::Filesize,
-            SyntaxShape::FullCellPath => Type::Unknown,
+            SyntaxShape::FullCellPath => Type::Any,
             SyntaxShape::GlobPattern => Type::String,
-            SyntaxShape::ImportPattern => Type::Unknown,
+            SyntaxShape::ImportPattern => Type::Any,
             SyntaxShape::Int => Type::Int,
             SyntaxShape::List(x) => {
                 let contents = x.to_type();
                 Type::List(Box::new(contents))
             }
             SyntaxShape::Keyword(_, expr) => expr.to_type(),
-            SyntaxShape::MathExpression => Type::Unknown,
+            SyntaxShape::MathExpression => Type::Any,
             SyntaxShape::Number => Type::Number,
-            SyntaxShape::Operator => Type::Unknown,
-            SyntaxShape::Range => Type::Unknown,
+            SyntaxShape::Operator => Type::Any,
+            SyntaxShape::Range => Type::Any,
             SyntaxShape::Record => Type::Record(vec![]), // FIXME: Add actual record type
             SyntaxShape::RowCondition => Type::Bool,
             SyntaxShape::Boolean => Type::Bool,
             SyntaxShape::Signature => Type::Signature,
             SyntaxShape::String => Type::String,
-            SyntaxShape::Table => Type::List(Box::new(Type::Unknown)), // FIXME: Tables should have better types
-            SyntaxShape::VarWithOptType => Type::Unknown,
-            SyntaxShape::Variable => Type::Unknown,
+            SyntaxShape::Table => Type::List(Box::new(Type::Any)), // FIXME: Tables should have better types
+            SyntaxShape::VarWithOptType => Type::Any,
+            SyntaxShape::Variable => Type::Any,
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/ty.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/ty.rs
index 8ce822d7a0..58455120c3 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/ty.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/ty.rs
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ pub enum Type {
     Number,
     Nothing,
     Record(Vec<(String, Type)>),
-    Table,
+    Table(Vec<(String, Type)>),
     ListStream,
-    Unknown,
+    Any,
     Error,
     Binary,
     Custom,
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ impl Type {
             Type::Number => SyntaxShape::Number,
             Type::Nothing => SyntaxShape::Any,
             Type::Record(_) => SyntaxShape::Record,
-            Type::Table => SyntaxShape::Table,
+            Type::Table(_) => SyntaxShape::Table,
             Type::ListStream => SyntaxShape::List(Box::new(SyntaxShape::Any)),
-            Type::Unknown => SyntaxShape::Any,
+            Type::Any => SyntaxShape::Any,
             Type::Error => SyntaxShape::Any,
             Type::Binary => SyntaxShape::Binary,
             Type::Custom => SyntaxShape::Any,
@@ -78,13 +78,21 @@ impl Display for Type {
                     .collect::<Vec<String>>()
                     .join(", "),
             ),
-            Type::Table => write!(f, "table"),
+            Type::Table(columns) => write!(
+                f,
+                "table<{}>",
+                columns
+                    .iter()
+                    .map(|(x, y)| format!("{}: {}", x, y))
+                    .collect::<Vec<String>>()
+                    .join(", ")
+            ),
             Type::List(l) => write!(f, "list<{}>", l),
             Type::Nothing => write!(f, "nothing"),
             Type::Number => write!(f, "number"),
             Type::String => write!(f, "string"),
             Type::ListStream => write!(f, "list stream"),
-            Type::Unknown => write!(f, "unknown"),
+            Type::Any => write!(f, "any"),
             Type::Error => write!(f, "error"),
             Type::Binary => write!(f, "binary"),
             Type::Custom => write!(f, "custom"),
diff --git a/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/mod.rs b/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/mod.rs
index af03af0ee6..382f3685ba 100644
--- a/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-protocol/src/value/mod.rs
@@ -378,7 +378,26 @@ impl Value {
                     .map(|(x, y)| (x.clone(), y.get_type()))
                     .collect(),
             ),
-            Value::List { .. } => Type::List(Box::new(Type::Unknown)), // FIXME
+            Value::List { vals, .. } => {
+                let mut ty = None;
+                for val in vals {
+                    let val_ty = val.get_type();
+                    match &ty {
+                        Some(x) => {
+                            if &val_ty != x {
+                                ty = Some(Type::Any)
+                            }
+                        }
+                        None => ty = Some(val_ty),
+                    }
+                }
+
+                match ty {
+                    Some(Type::Record(columns)) => Type::Table(columns),
+                    Some(ty) => Type::List(Box::new(ty)),
+                    None => Type::List(Box::new(ty.unwrap_or(Type::Any))),
+                }
+            }
             Value::Nothing { .. } => Type::Nothing,
             Value::Block { .. } => Type::Block,
             Value::Error { .. } => Type::Error,
@@ -1735,8 +1754,8 @@ impl Value {
         }
 
         if !type_compatible(self.get_type(), rhs.get_type())
-            && (self.get_type() != Type::Unknown)
-            && (rhs.get_type() != Type::Unknown)
+            && (self.get_type() != Type::Any)
+            && (rhs.get_type() != Type::Any)
         {
             return Err(ShellError::TypeMismatch("compatible type".to_string(), op));
         }
@@ -1763,8 +1782,8 @@ impl Value {
         }
 
         if !type_compatible(self.get_type(), rhs.get_type())
-            && (self.get_type() != Type::Unknown)
-            && (rhs.get_type() != Type::Unknown)
+            && (self.get_type() != Type::Any)
+            && (rhs.get_type() != Type::Any)
         {
             return Err(ShellError::TypeMismatch("compatible type".to_string(), op));
         }
@@ -1791,8 +1810,8 @@ impl Value {
         }
 
         if !type_compatible(self.get_type(), rhs.get_type())
-            && (self.get_type() != Type::Unknown)
-            && (rhs.get_type() != Type::Unknown)
+            && (self.get_type() != Type::Any)
+            && (rhs.get_type() != Type::Any)
         {
             return Err(ShellError::TypeMismatch("compatible type".to_string(), op));
         }
@@ -1819,8 +1838,8 @@ impl Value {
         }
 
         if !type_compatible(self.get_type(), rhs.get_type())
-            && (self.get_type() != Type::Unknown)
-            && (rhs.get_type() != Type::Unknown)
+            && (self.get_type() != Type::Any)
+            && (rhs.get_type() != Type::Any)
         {
             return Err(ShellError::TypeMismatch("compatible type".to_string(), op));
         }